The Light Within

“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” -Franklin D. Roosevelt

I recently realized that so much of the suffering that came from my struggles was actually fear itself. Not for no reason, but because I was afraid of the idea in itself of having any type of problem at all. For instance, in my early years of addiction I was in denial because I didn’t want to face the truth that I had a problem that thus I would have to deal with. To have a problem would not only mean that I had to solve it, but I had little confidence in myself that I was even capable such a feat.

Truthfully, I should have had more fear about denial, for I spent years in avoidance of facing my problem. This really was the only problem in itself, the denial and thus living in the struggle with all the pain it created as a result. Once I could face the actual issue in itself, dive into it and confront it for what it really was, I realized it wasn’t as frightening as I had thought. The fear was all the built-up ideas of what the problem actually meant if I saw it for what it was, however, I was already living in it at its worse. Thus, at this point, it was just coming to realization of what already was happening in my life. I realized most of the fear we experience is made up in the mind by ideas of certain concepts we construct, about what something may mean, or what the future may hold. The only real problem that exists is not facing the truth and allowing whatever potential the Universe holds for us when we do this. Really, to deny ourselves the opportunity to look at the truth of something only denies us of greater possibilities and way of life.

Sometimes we can be looking at the problem from the wrong end, other times, we may need a new perspective or greater scope of vision. To start looking from a new and more gentle perspective is to look at something as an opportunity rather than a problem. The problem already was there, now there is only opportunity to learn, to grow, to resolve and move forward, as new doors keep opening ahead when we take this approach. Sometimes we need to step back and look at what really is and what we created in our mind alone. What parts of this can we let go of, and what can we change in perspective and approach, to find a new way? This has become my spiritual way of life as I incorporate God and my beliefs into my experiences and everyday life, and as I have done this, life has unfolded in new and miraculous ways.

With faith that all will unfold I look to the Universe for direction and answers, from my experiences as I seek and find greater meaning, and from people in my life who guide me. Step by step, we do recover from anything and find what we seek, but most of all we can be present in our lives. As I took this journey of recovery and self-empowerment, I became aware that most of my problems came from me trying to escape from life, by not seeing life for it was. I changed my outlook of the world and found beauty when I sought it, but over the course of truth seeking and exploration, I found that the most important thing was already right here. It was in the ability to be present and aware in my life, to be an active participant, but most of all to love and let love in. It is the sharing of this love and connection that I had been missing, and it had into turned into my struggles, but I could return to it now. Now, I try to stay in the truth in order to keep everything in perspective and see what’s truly important, which has always been to be present in love, and in life.