A Better View of the Sky

Now that my house has burned down, I have a better view of the sky. ~ Zen saying

The above quote reminds me of a successful Los Angeles artist who stated: “During the recent fires, my house was leveled, along with my entire collection of paintings.” The artist went on to say, “Now I am free! I am packing to go to the island of Kauai, where I will fulfill my lifelong dream of leading wilderness adventures.”

When an apparent disaster strikes and our life as we knew it is undone, it may be a blessing in disguise. The event could be clearing out an old pattern to make way for a new and more fulfilling life. See the situation not as a curse, but as an opportunity.

The Chinese language character for crisis is a combination of two other symbols: danger and opportunity.

If you talk to gardeners they'll tell you that gardeners in colder climates have an advantage over those in the tropics. The winter frost kills all microorganisms in the soil so that next spring’s crops are not subject to contamination from the previous year’s pests. Even when life seems frozen and desolate, growth and good are occurring behind the outer appearances.

In the Hindu religion, the god Shiva, ruler of destruction, is revered as much as Vishnu, the creator. The old must be cleared away to make way for the new.

Trust that changes beyond our control are working on our behalf. Surrender to change and call it all good. Release the old to make way for the new and better.