HITTING BOTTOM: IT MIGHT NOT BE SUCH A BAD THING — THE ONLY WAY IS UP
“I’m Sitting On Top of the World,” is a popular, 90 year old song from USA.
When our lives are going so, so well, with little disharmony, much good health, and good wealth, we could very well feel as if we were ‘sitting on top of the world.’ If, however, things may not be as they appear, let’s look at this.
When one has not been successful treating a serious disease using conventional, allopathic, often western, medical practices, frequently people turn to alternative healing modalities seeking relief and healing. It might be said that such situations are like ‘hitting bottom,’ where we feel that we can’t go any lower. It could be physically, mentally, spiritually, even financially.
In addiction circles, this concept is widely used as until addicts’ lives have fallen so low and found to be destructive-to self and others–it is unlikely the desire to become clean and sober will occur.
Many turn to a spiritual path when their lives become extremely difficult. If things are going so wrong on the outside, going inside for insight, peace and solace may be just what the doctor ordered.
Some of us may have turned to Agnihotra when our lives had become extremely difficult. ‘Hitting bottom’ often serves as an impetus to change. The change may have a better chance of succeeding because returning to the ‘bottom’ is too scary and painful.
So as alluring as ‘sitting on top of the world’
may be, sitting at the bottom of the world may indeed carry with it greater opportunities. So let us look beyond the trees and see the forest. Let us not lose the moon while counting the stars.
Let us take to heart the dictum that things are not always as they seem. Let us try—try hard—to be grateful even for misfortune in our lives because on the other side may lie transformation, self-development and lasting joy.
This attitude is more than ‘making lemonade out of lemons,’ i.e., making the best out of a temporary, challenging situation. It is a makeover of mindset, often ripping up of the dross of our lives and replacing it with good thoughts, good words, and good deeds…always! It is training the mind to react with Love under all circumstances—not some of the time, not occasionally, not just on weekends or holidays—all the time.
Just as truth can be told in a palatable manner, so can the makeover be done with care, affection and perspective. ‘Tough Love?’ Perhaps. But surely, we can agree that any kind of love is preferable to none at all. So, if it’s tough—difficult—so be it. Idam na mama—not my will but Divine will be done.
Self-sabotage, supposedly part of all of our archetypes, may be considered unfortunate or just part of our human experience. The ‘lemons’ may be the push that pain can provide to help us become better.
So maybe I am self-sabotaging my old or current damaged self in favor of creating a better version. Old roads are destroyed before better ones take their place. Old buildings are demolished as precursors of better construction.
So, if I must sacrifice some parts of myself in order to become better and happier and a better servant of the Divine—if that is on my wish list—so be it—especially if it is Divine will.
Might Faith be a necessary, invaluable tool during these transformative periods? Indeed.
Need we trust that the universe has our best interests at hand—especially if we ‘get with the program?’
In essence, we may be trusting ourselves even despite our bad track records in the past.
Once the realization dawns that “People won’t change until the pain of not changing is greater than the pain changing brings,” (Just B. Jordan), healing and transformation are on your doorstep.
Or understanding and feeling that, “Growth is painful. Change is painful. But nothing is as painful as staying stuck somewhere you don’t belong” (Mandy Hale), are a blessing.
Pain and misfortune may be temporary arrows aimed in our direction. Besides the possibility the arrows may change course, is the distinct chance Divine intervention may manifest. Some call this Grace.