Reinventing Your Life, Your Profession, Your Relationships, and Your Purpose

by Robert Wilkinson

Life is eternal change. Throughout Nature, all that lives grows until that way, branch, direction, tendency, or way of accumulation ends. How we handle the endings and "in betweens" determines whether our lives continue to be an adventure in learning how to apply our skills and gifts in ways that fulfill us.

Whether we want it or not, elements of our lives must end from time to time so that we can move in new directions. Our lifelong timeline of experiences bring us potentials that we fulfill to whatever degree we choose and/or are able. After a potential is used up, we must learn to apply what we learned on that "vector of realization" in our on-going evolution into future experiences.

Remember that we are Eternals inhabiting electromagnetic bodies that also feel, think, and aspire. Our minds keep us moving into changing perceptions and interpretations, while our feelings exist on deeper, more visceral levels. That's why we are deeply moved by our feelings when things end.

We like the comfort of the familiar, the consistent, the "safe." And yet nothing is "safe" when measured with the yardstick of on-going eternal change, since change demonstrates the impermanence of just about everything on Earth. That's why when we learn how to navigate the endings and "in betweens" we can find a greater peace in the unfolding process of our own growth.

Because we feel, we are feeling all there is whether we know it or not. We also live within a collective Consciousness, so we're feeling that as well. What the collective feels and knows becomes an ocean of feelings we all experience in some way. In short, given the collective feeling that we are at the end of time, or the end of the Age, we all are feeling that something greater is ending, along with whatever ends for us personally. That's why the feeling seems so vast at times.

For many, it's the end of how they've lived, who they've related to, and even their sense of themselves. Old jobs, old relationships, old ways of approaching new experiences and possibilities are slipping down the timestream, sometimes with breathtaking speed and finality. So what can we do about our responses when we confront endings that will help us navigate our lives into more helpful actions, feelings, and thoughts?

Most of what we've experienced up to now seems somehow disconnected with the circumstances that stress us. I believe that we can learn what we need to in order to navigate the endings and transitions into a new life, given the proviso that "New wine requires new wineskins." In moving into a better future, we must find new "containers" in our personality and patterns of behavior that adequately suit the requirements of a new life.

What we do is not separate from who we are. Even if it seems that external conditions are unnecessarily limiting, they exist only because we continue to dance with that condition. When we see that something no longer nourishes us, then we can stop beating our heads against the proverbial wall and turn to something new that suits our need in the Now. What we turn to indicates whether we move into new experiences or have merely swapped "the devil we know for one we don't."

When it's time to leave the old behind, it's good to make a list of what we know worked well for us in the past, since what has happened once can happen again, if in a new form. That's why in reinventing our life, there will be elements of past good patterns that can be invoked to come forth in our future. These past productive patterns can serve to show us that we are in fact growing according to our nature into even greater growth patterns in the present.

The Sanskrit word Dharma has as its approximate meaning "true function," or "essential quality of character." It is said the Dharma that can be known is not the "true Dharma," but I believe we can catch glimpses of our unique Dharma by examining the recurring lessons of our lives, seeing how these have led us out of darkness to Light, from illusion to Reality, from fear to a greater Love, and from our lower nature to our Higher Self.

So if you struggle with endings, of unknowns and apprehensions of what will or will not be, detach from the "not knowing" and contemplate your life as a timestream of experiences coaxing forth skills, strengths, realizations and talents throughout the difficulties and endings. You are an eternally evolving Consciousness, collecting forms of understanding to apply in your world the best you are able.

You have imagination and an ability to be creative in ways you've never known. You have a mind that when trained can easily cut through illusions and fears and express the strength of your heart's direct knowing. With an open mind and a strong heart you can move into unknown futures and find yourself doing your Being in excellent ways.

Doing this requires us to learn to recognize when to let go of the past so that a new potential can be attracted and glimpsed. Even when it seems that change is forced upon us, it is still our task to change the inner patterns in our lives from negative feelings to a new sense of potential effectiveness. That's why it's better to voluntarily choose to let go of old patterns that no longer fulfill us, especially those which create suffering and feelings of lack, fear, and frustration.

As we learn to cooperate with our own evolving process and let go of old patterns that no longer fulfill us, we create the psychic space to attract something more appropriate to our evolved Self. While often we move uncertainly into the future "waiting for the other shoe to drop," just as often we find something much better than we had before. Sometimes "the light at the end of the tunnel" really is a new day dawning, and not just the headlight of a train coming right at us!

So if you have experienced a loss, whether of a job, a friend or loved one, a sense of purpose or an old way of life, it's a clear signal that there's something better out there for you. As we learn to "get out of our own way" we cooperate with our unique Dharma, the specialized function we're here to play in the world.

From one point of view, life is a dance, a play of All-That-Is eternally changing forms for our experience so we can realize more than we used to know. As our lives shape shift, it's up to us to embrace and enjoy being the roles that are ours to learn and become skilled in expressing.

While sometimes endings can be quite difficult, what renews us is often a joyous thing. The trick is to let go of the feelings of difficulty while embracing the joy of the possible.

Change patterns of thinking, interpreting, feeling and acting, and you take command of your life in dramatic ways. Then relax into simply enjoying the many ways to do your Being throughout the changes, demonstrating past skills and strengths while cultivating new ones. Then each ending becomes the foundation for a new beginning. Welcome to the Now!!

© Copyright 2010 Robert Wilkinson

Comments

[Elah]

This is lovely, Robert! A rich lesson that I will continue to read and reflect upon. The dance metaphor is helpful in adjusting my perspective to one of "go with the flow" rather than resistance.
Gracious one, thank you again. I appreciate your works of wisdom.

[Wild Horse Running]

the crisis has begun....

Im scorpio sun,mars,neptune...and I now see the
reason for sabotage and crisis. If your life is wonderful, there is no reason to change.

I unconciously...pulled the rug out from under myself again, I guess it is time to surrender...and let go
of my addiction.

[jan]

It's not running away, if you are running to. I left America for Baja, Mexico and each month that passes I’m learning that I enriched my soul-life considerably. I took a chance a few years ago and it feels good now. My perspective on humanity vs. materialism has enriched me/unquestionably improved "the true me." The weird thing is that now I know I belong right here, right now. Those earlier doubts were only illusions…and all those "other people's" fears dissolved to nothing. Vive tu vida!

[Mary]

Thank you, Robert. You give me hope with my inner turmoil...

As a Taurus sun and Scorpio rising person I've been feeling uneasy for a while - actually for 4-5 years. I have a creative job with great pay, a privileged social status, a wonderful hubby and a beautiful apartment and still feel I've outgrown the old a long time ago. Anyone I talk to thinks I'm spoiled and complaining about nothing - or at least something they don't understand. My outer life SEEMS to in order but it doesn't reflect my inner one.

I'm considering seeing a shrink to tell me if I've lost my mind in thinking that I should quit my job, leave my husband and move someplace of my own. (Actually I've done that already but he couldn't see my point) I long for freedom, travel, meaningfulness, different career, new life but can't convince even myself that I'm in my right mind. I've built a great lifestyle and it feels painful even thinking about destroying that.

My North Node is in Aquarius but I haven't really actualized that path yet. Could it be that the glamour of my current lifestyle doesn't fulfill my needs to live by my values? I feel strongly for many causes and donate to different charities but that's all.

When do you know that it's time to move on? When do you know you're not hurting yourself unintentionally?

[Morvah]

Robert, Thank you for this. Pluto squares my natal Sun as I read your words so just what I need to hear!
Shanti

[Sue Moon]

Mary, you ask "when do you know you're not hurting yourself unintentionally?"; but your words speak clearly of your need to move to another level. Stagnation never breeds happiness. I think you answered your own query.
Robert's wise words offer a soothing balm to help us all with our difficult decisions.
Then, we have to take the steps.
I'm in the step taking process also.
Thanks Robert, this was especially helpful now that Pluto is squaring Neptune in the 8th and Saturn is conjunct Neptune. Not sure my blood pressure can take much more. I'm breathing a lot and endeavoring to let go more gracefully.

[Rebecca]

Thank you!!!

[Robert]

Hi Elah - Yes, I figured that with all that I hear is happening this would be a good topic to explore. Thanks for the appreciation of the work.

WHR - It's true we often learn more from our challenges than when things are comfortable. However, if we willingly invite the lessons we need to learn to present themselves, then we accelerate karma and therefore our evolving out of unhelpful patterns. I believe you've come a long way in your process already, and surrendering to "getting out of our own way" is always a good teacher.

Hi jan - Yes, as per what I just wrote. I believe we can go out to greet karma rather than simply postpone the inevitable, even if we don't know what that is. Welcoming the chance to move into greater Soul life and growth may be daunting, even terrifying at times, but in doing what we know we should we find strength, clarity, a sense of purpose, and eventually come to know on deep levels that we've escaped from an obsolete reality. And yes, often a change of environment restores perspectives we didn't know we lost to begin with.

Hi Mary - Neptune has no doubt undermined some things through dissolving them, but also has opened you to a greater strength, nobility, and creativity through decreasing any need to contend. We ALL feel that there's something else we "should be doing" from time to time. The trick is not to throw the baby out with the bathwater when we move into change. And "if something ain't broke, don't fix it" also comes to mind.

Before anyone makes life altering decisions, it's important to know where those impulses are coming from. Most do long for "freedom, travel, meaningfulness, etc." but what would this look like? How will these serve your ultimate purposes, growing into your Higher Self while not disrupting what sustains you? Many of us get torn from time to time about the road not taken, but forget to ask whether that road would have been appropriate or helpful to our evolution given our weaknesses, blind spots, etc.

It's never easy to begin anew even in the best of conditions, and even if we know we must change, it's best to remember not to jeopardize what's precious for the unknown ideal that may or may not be realizable in the form we believe. You have a new set of life adventures coming next Spring anyway, so be thoughtful in the changes.

Hi Morvah - Just maintain self confidence amidst the outer turmoil, and use self-discipline and ever deeper insights to keep focused on the long term prize!

Hi Sue Moon - I agree she's yearning for the unknown, but again, timing is everything when it's time to move beyond old lives. Whether this is restlessness for its own sake or a call to action can only be known by finding what motivates these feelings, how have they been triggered before, and is it material change that is needed or a change in how reality is viewed?

I also have known well the feelings she describes, but through hard losses and impulsive mis-firings have learned not to undervalue what should be held precious. I also do not underestimate the value of some measure of stability as I explore new possibilities, and haven't made major moves without a plan, a purpose, and a clear goal for a long time.

Disrupting what works usually only leads us into the proverbial ditch. Changing what doesn't work requires discrimination, detachment, deep compassion and an open mind so we can be shown our line of greatest growth. Then we need a plan, must ponder that plan well to make sure it's as well formulated as possible, get good feedback from our trusted spiritual Brothers and Sisters, and then wait for the right time to move into the revolution. Then we must observe to make sure that how we do what we do actually serves the deepest need of our evolving Self. And of course we must keep breathing and loving the whole time, with as much of a sense of humor as we can muster!;-)

Hi Rebecca - You're most welcome.

[Frances]

You rock Robert :)

[shanita]

robert san, i feel like you wrote this for me, and i know you did not. we are in this time. what i am giving thanks for right now, many things, but you, are there, in the deep part of my heart.

[suzie]

thanks

[Crystal]

Beautiful... many thanks

[Shehzaad Maroof Khan]

thanks brother loved this article :)
GOD BLESS

[suzie]

you're such an egoless openminded bunch, arent you

[Robert]

Hi all - Thanks for checking in. Reinvention seems to be a constant of our times.

Hi Suzie - And your point is?

We all need good, healthy, strong integrated personalities (egos) to survive in this weird impermanent multi-level reality. And surely it's better to be openminded than not, since an openminded ego can learn compassion and friendliness toward others.

[Sue Moon]

Thanks Robert, sometimes in my haste to move through these changes I forget to cherish the lessons in the moment and to honor how they support me and give me time to reflect and plan. A wonderful reminder, you are such a great gift here to us all. Namaste and again, at your feet.

[Mary]

Thank you so much for your warm and wise words, Robert. I'm also loving this site for the community support and strength it provides so thanks to you, Sue too.

[ashley]

recently, i've been dealing with eternal hardships that decided to haunt me again but i refuse to have it affect my life and how i succeed-thus me bringing up your site.
there are countless times that i have come here, for enlightenment on an 'at-the-time' problem regardless of when it was posted and 99% i find it.

Robert, you are simply amazing, to say the least. I thank you so much for all your wisdom and words. You've helped this lost little teen for five years and because of you and your site, i feel as if i can take on the world and succeed at anything i want to take on.
THANK YOU, & a million times more.
xxx

[dcu]

What a timely article and then an excellent comment stream. You hit another home run, my friend. The awareness of the "Shift of the Ages" is growing on each of us daily. I know that I continue to feel anxious about my life within the greater whole. I'm reminded to be gentle with myself and others as we go through these exciting and unpredictable times. Thanks so much. Sat Nam.