Your Path is THIS Way

“Life is a tragedy when seen in close-up, but a comedy in long-shot.” – Charlie Chaplin


“How do I get back on my soul’s path?” and “How do I even know I am on it?”

These questions are commonly asked by people in their quest of their life path. One may feel they have lost sight of their path for days— sometimes decades!

It is common to feel “off the path”, as the path's inherent obstacles trigger what is dormant to the surface. These are situations one might rather forget. However, one can see them as “stories of folly”, supplanting bitterness (negative energy) about past events! This way more light is brought in. As one can see illnesses as metaphors for what the body is saying, one can look at whatever “unlikely” situations they have found themselves in, as indicators of the path's landscape.

One very brave client of mine volunteered his work stories for this exercise:

*Went on camping trip as mental health worker with adult psychiatric population and was threatened by client with hatchet.
*Was met by gang members looking to kill my client, a former member of that gang, at his court date.
*Was threatened by senior partner at law firm for writing letter-to-the-editor on company computer after hours.
*Was told that not attending the non-profit agency's “mandatory fun” millenium party, would put my job at risk.
*Was laughed at in supervision, by boss, regarding rumors she had heard about my then-ending relationship.
*Worked on crew assembling Port-A-Potty units.
*Worked on assembly line building video games for company with guy in cloak building special weapons for the military next to the line.
*Was unloading truckload of high-end furniture when stack of boxes nearly crushed me to death.
*Was given only overalls to wear over my summer clothes to remove ice from cold storage warehouse where the temperature was below zero.

“Wow,” he sighed, after recounting them. He had felt many times and for long periods that he was “off” his soul’s path. Truthfully, the universe was guiding him all along. Having his job security threatened, as well as finding his well-being physically threatened, could have indicated that he was not practicing adequate self-care—or doing work that brought him joy!

By taking a step back and accepting the signs he was receiving, he got affirmations about his path direction. This included improving work situations by becoming more assertive in job interviews and evaluations, learning to say no to jobs that were not a good fit, and ultimately creating work that met his needs and brought him joy!

When feeling stuck, in any situation:
Listing the most uncomfortable memories will highlight patterns.
Laughing heals. Very important. This step is not to be skipped without consent of one's higher self!
Affirming what has probably been known or sensed, empowers.
Choosing to not take it personal, shifts! This is life unfolding and the universe providing.
Creating the situations that are path-aligned, uplifts!

There can be comfort in knowing one is never really off the path. One can always learn more about oneself by looking at the patterns and places one has gone that have not met needs best. In this way, one may let a little lightness and humor shine through.