THERE COMES A DAY when the pain of living as we always have can no longer be. A day when the masks of denial become so constricting that we lose sight of who we are. At that moment, an extraordinary group of teachers appear, encouraging us to risk letting go of the cloaks of adversity that have shrouded our souls for so very long.

At that same fraction of time, other magnificent, wounded healers receive the same message...

You can no longer live as you have;
it is time to step forward on your journey, and we are here to lovingly guide you.

As we gather together, each a mirror of our radiance, a reflection of our pain, embodying the characteristics of those we love, and those we need to forgive, we begin our transformation. Each soul brought together to midwife each other's healing. To help us break free of the shackles of shame, trepidation, and fear.

In this process, we begin to embrace the totality of who we are. From the wounded little ones, to the conscious wise ones who have done so much work on ourselves. With the courage of a warrior and the vulnerability of a newborn, we transverse terrain that is so foreign, yet intimately familiar. We become aware of our buried unawakened mind and see how it has created chaos in our lives.

Then, moment by moment, as we face the demons of our past, we become stronger, healthier, and more present. We begin to play life differently by seeing our patterns, our hidden addictions, and the blocks that keep us from living fully. As we see these vices, we begin to choose whether we want to suffer any longer, or decide to co-create a fuller, richer, more centered existence with our higher power.

We are reborn moment by moment and choice by choice. Re-emerging into a new relationship with ourselves and with each other. Our journey is like that of a butterfly. At first satisfied in the comfort of our cocoon. Then as we grow, the pain of confinement and limitation becomes unbearable. In the existential struggle of leaving our past behind, we break free from the bondage of our cocoon. We are weak and vulnerable, yet magnificent. As our wings emerge, we begin to explore life from an entirely different vantage point. We are free to fly gracefully and unencumbered through the winds of change. As we transform individually, our metamorphosis expands collectively.

Now moving forward on this ever-changing journey of life, we continue to support each other with loving energy. Knowing that when one awakens, we all awaken. When one forgives, we all forgive. And as one heals, we all heal.

© 2009, Debbie Milam

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Debbie Milam is a syndicated parenting columnist for United Press International and the co-creator of Empowering Our Children: Creating Connected Families, Classrooms and Communities DVD. For more information visit her online at www.bestyoucanbe.org. Sign up for her newsletter to receive your special report, Creating Peace Within Yourself and Your Family.