I am in the deep freeze of a particularly cold Iowa winter. While I am grateful to be here, beginning this new adventure – all seems on hold as winter has set in with a fierceness. The walls of our cozy rental house begin to close in when the kids have seemingly missed more school than they’ve attended. And so, here I am, living in the time in-between. Still working out the details of our move to be settled near the family farm and the construction of our dream house – with each new snow fall, it seems further away. We are stuck inside, admiring these beautiful Iowa scenes from the safety of a warm home or a 4-wheel-drive vehicle, as all is blanketed in snow and ice.
I abide in this time of in-between.
This is a time of being in-between; establishing new routines, new school, new jobs. Feeling untethered as we work towards creating this new life and building our new home. And so, I abide – I wait. This is not a passive thing, it is active. It is trusting that I am on the right path, expectantly waiting for this all to unfold. It is also a time of deep soul work; reading, listening to podcasts, early mornings of devotional time, prayer and yoga. As I study and do this work, there is a sense of remembering. The wisdom of others washes over me like a wave of memory – a deep, intuitive knowing. Words and ideas ring so true, it is as if, in some unexplainable way, I’ve always known this. Life can be busy and hectic, this pause and time of deep reflection has allowed me the opportunity to discover deeper truths. Perhaps, as I abide and await next steps, I’m meant to remember who I truly am.
I am a beloved child of God
Henri Nouwen reminds me that I am a child of God. Not only that, but a beloved child of God – let the beauty of that sink in, because not only is this my truth, it is your truth. We are beloved children of the Creator, however you define that, we belong to a higher order and are beloved. This frees something in me and gives me confidence as I face the unknown.
I am the co-creator of my life
Oprah Winfrey speaks of being “the co-creator of your life with the Master of the Universe,” for me, I call that God or the Divine. The awareness that life is not just happening to me, I am an active participant – is a shift to being the person I am meant to be. I need help from the Divine, I fully admit that. But, as a co-creator, I am moved away from the victim role; I am responsible for my own success and happiness – this is motivating and empowering. As Rachel Hollis says, “You are in charge of you.”
I live my life in alignment with the Universe
My yoga practice allows me to focus on alignment in every way.The yogi, B.K.S. Lyengar said, “It is through the alignment of the body that I discovered the alignment of my mind, self and intelligence.” For me, the physical work of yoga and the deep soul work of reading, prayer and meditation are key to clearing the noise of the outside world and creating space where I feel connected to the Divine. This is where my alignment happens. I find that when I am in alignment with my true purpose, with what God has put me on this earth to do, I feel better – my daily life is less struggle and more joy, tasks become easier; I am working with the Universe and not against it.
During this time of in-between, I also turn to nature, perhaps my greatest teacher and guide. I soak in the beauty of a bare tree – branches covered in ice, glistening in the sun – reaching up in a prayer of thanks to the winter sky. I take this time to acknowledge the grace and beauty all around me, even on the coldest of days, even as yet another snow storm is heading my way. For I know that the Universe is at work all around me – it gives me comfort and hope.
Perhaps you’re in a season of being in-between as well, I invite you to abide – to wait with a full heart for the next steps as they unfold and take this time to remember who you truly are.
