The Great American Solar Eclipse and What it Meant for Me (The Beginning is Here)

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In the physical sense I entirely missed out on witnessing the astronomical spectacle of epic proportions being the recent solar eclipse, or perhaps better known by its popular media coined title: “The Great American Eclipse” of August 2017.

I’ve spent the past two years living in Southeastern Asia, specifically Bali, and since Bali is located in the southern hemispheric region of the globe, visibility-wise this solar eclipse was totally non-existent for me, but although I completely missed out on seeing this spectacular event with my own eyes, I felt I certainly didn’t miss out in regards to the impact this particular eclipse had on my life.

I’ll admit, I was disappointed I wouldn’t be watching this eclipse in person, but I sucked it up and let all my nerd-like ambitions ago, making peace with the fact I’d been humbly reduced to watching the solar eclipse via HD live-stream on the internet, but I would not allow myself to be defeated so easily. Being the space/universe junky I am, I decided that evening I’d hop on my scooter and ride down to one of my favorite beachfront locations in Bali to catch a different live astronomical event the following morning and watch the sunrise.

The next day, as I observed the sun begin its daily ascension, I felt an incredible wave of synchronicity wash over me. Intuitively I knew I wasn’t just watching another average sunrise, but witnessing something significantly more powerful taking place inside of me, and symbolically I felt this particular sunrise represented the inner fire that collectively burns within us all. As I observed this beautiful ball of fire continue to ascend into new heights and light up the morning sky, I visualized certain aspects ourselves which may have previously blocked our paths forward, begin to shift, change and disintegrate away as many of us continually choose to ascend beyond fear and authentically step into the true light of our potential and brightly shine in full radiance like the sun.

As I observed this beautiful ball of fire continue to ascend into new heights and light up the morning sky, I visualized certain aspects ourselves which may have previously blocked our paths forward, begin to shift, change, and disintegrate away as many of us continually choose to ascend beyond fear and authentically step into the true light of our potential and brightly shine in full radiance like the sun.

I’m sure most of you would concur, the past five years have been anything but a cake walk in the park. I can only speak for myself, but for me, the past five years felt like an ongoing series of what seemed like never-ending rough patches. I’d get knocked down, stand back up, only to get knocked right back down again. It’s like that famous Japanese warrior proverb, “Fall down seven times, stand up eight,” but not even close. My life felt more like fall down a kazillion times, and when luck was on my side maybe I’d stand back up half that.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not complaining. All these experiences were incredibly transformative. I wouldn’t trade how I’ve become a noticeably better human because of all that’s transpired in my life for the world. I’m just mentioning these experiences because they severely tested my inner-strength, self-esteem, confidence, courage, and practically pushed me over the edge to my breaking point.

It all but completely extinguished my own inner fire…But breakdowns can become powerful breakTHROUGHS. They’re meant to be when you allow any painful experience that’s occurring to work its magic.

Painful experiences only mentally and emotionally hurt us when they’ve been held onto for too long. Life continually unfolds through various opportunities designed to awaken you, and I’ve found life flows much easier when you trust that whatever has fallen apart in the past, fell apart on purpose. Learn from these experiences then move on.

Don’t view painful events as punishment, but try and see them as life attempting to level you up into something far greater. Life isn’t something meant to just be “gone through” comfortably without change and blinders on. Life is meant to be meaningful and GROWN THROUGH.

The pity party’s over.

Turn the chapter on your old story of “I Am a Victim” and write a new story with an entirely different title called: “Empowerment.” One way to write a new, empowering story to reclaim your personal freedom, is deciding you are no longer a victim to circumstance This means taking what you believe has “been done to you,” and choosing create something better from what’s happened all the while maintaining some forward momentum.

I find it helpful to shift the focus away from your impossible “to-do” list that you think needs to be completed before you’re allowed to have the life you want. Redirect your focus instead to only what you really want to receive more of in life, like: financial freedom, abundance, positive relationships, passionate career and the ability to travel more often.

Consciously choose to release the past through accepting there will always be certain elements either about yourself or life events you simply cannot change. Self-love is a journey of acceptance, not perfection, so learn to love every ounce of yourself through the process, especially the darker bits or any aspects you consider “mistakes” or “failures.” Look at it like this, at the very least, what you’ve called “failed attempt” is still proof you’re actually trying.

Only you can create the life you want, no else can do that for you, and right now there’s a whole new doorway open that can lead you into another completely different world of your choosing, but don’t expect to ever fully crossover until you leave any leftover expectations you may have on how you believe your ideal life is “supposed to be” at the doorstep.

There’s a universal irony in how everything you need finally comes when you realize you don’t actually need anything, and everything you want to happen will, but only when you stop trying to force them into existence.

Take a moment and actually slow down from the chaotic, frantic pace you’ve been immersed in. Notice how far you’ve come by where you clearly stand in your life now. The storm has passed, the clouds are clearing and there’s no need to recreate the hurricane from whence you came. You only feel like you’re lost because you believe you’re supposed to know where you’re going…

Caterpillar time is over.

You’re a beautiful butterfly on the edge of your cocoon, terrified to fly. The anticipation of wondering if your wings are truly ready for flight before you actually make attempt is killing the adventure. Stop focusing on the bigger picture and just jump! You’ll never know until you try, and you’ll never actually soar into the stratosphere until you learn the ropes and practice flying first. You’re placing too much emphasis on what you believe still needs to be done before you can get to where you’d like to be, and you never will get there if you keep allowing your impossible check-list to overwhelm you.

New prospects always feel daunting. This is normal and fact. Dreams always arrive a few shoe sizes too big in order to gradually learn how to grow into them properly.

These dream “shoes” you’ve always wanted have most likely already been delivered to your doorstep, but you probably didn’t notice them because maybe they look different than in your head you imagined they would. Possibly you even sent these shoes back in return for a new pair, hoping these shoes will be a perfect fit without any effort or putting in work. Check yourself. See if there’s anything preventing you from radiating authentic brilliance into the world like you were born to do.

Be like the Phoenix and rise above the ashes of the past and beyond any remaining excuses or bullshit stories you’ve always told yourself as to why you can’t do something. New blessings only come into your life when you release whatever no longer works, including any old partnerships or relationships lacking a real positive connection.

So keep what you love.
Get rid of what you don’t.
Add more of what you do like.

Everyone says they’ll do this, but only few actually follow through with it. So be one of the few who’s actually committed to changing their life for the better. Step up. Take a stand against your fear. Don’t allow fears snarling voice to hold you captive any longer. Look your fear dead in the eyes and realize you are stronger than fear.

The archetypal “fearless” warrior doesn’t exist. A true warrior is not one who is fear-LESS, but someone FILLED WITH FEAR, but who doesn’t allow themselves to be overtaken or consumed by fear. The warrior senses fear’s presence, but courageously steps to the plate accepting each challenge as its presented and does what it takes to successfully maneuver through them, summoning the courage to move forward towards the destination of their dreams.

Life previously cornered you for a reason, so you could no longer ignore the aspects within you that kept you small, and playing small is exactly what has got to go.
Bravely embrace the exciting adventure of the unknown. Life is a path, its destination the journey, what you are experiencing now is the ride. Enter through this new doorway with an open mind, open arms and fully open heart. Put aside your fears and embrace whatever comes your way. For it’s when you’ve got nothing left standing between you and your dreams, including your own outdated beliefs, is when true magic happens and you can rise from the ashes like the champion you are truly meant to be.

This is what “The Great American Eclipse” meant for me. I feel the beginning is here. How about you, can you feel it?
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Feature photo provided by the author.