by Janice Lynne Lundy

The story of Rip Van Winkle always intrigued me.

This is the story of a man who fell asleep for many years and awakened to strange goings on, unfamiliar sights and sounds.  As I speak with people today, I witness them reporting a similar circumstance.  They feel like they are “waking up.”

Like Rip Van Winkle, they have a sudden realization that their life is not what they think it is, or going where they believe it should.  It is as if they have been given a new set of eyeglasses through which to view their lives.  Or, as in the fairy tale, are awakened from a deep slumber of unconsciously lived days and nights.  Life crisis often does this for us; boldly shakes us, wakes us up, through personal tragedy, the loss of a relationship, loved one or job, a health challenge.  Any one of these can jolt us from our metaphorical life sleep to find ourselves, like Rip, looking about in bewilderment asking, “What happened?”

Once we have awakened, naturally we wonder how it is we are to live.  The landscape has changed and new rules seem to apply.  Establishing some self-evident truths can be helpful - truisms of "How Life Works."  Buoyed by their wisdom, we can find comfort and courage for the journey ahead - the journey to live in a more awakened manner.

Truth #1: We are each responsible for our own lives.

This truth brings with it a flurry of emotions.  If I awaken to realize that it is me, and me alone, who is responsible for my life, then fear and worry may set in.  We may become trapped in paralyzing thoughts of: ‘What if I make the wrong choices?’  ‘What if I make mistakes?’  From this perspective, self-responsibility may feel too difficult to accept.  Self-responsibility is a truth that many of us refuse to acknowledge because it is much easier to live our lives blaming others, blaming the world, even blaming God.  More simple to assign responsibility elsewhere, especially our pain and sorrow, or the consequences of poor choice-making.

On the other hand, this truth can also bring relief and newfound freedom.  I love the quote, "If it's to be, it's up to me!"  There is tremendous power in knowing that we can choose how we think, feel, and behave.  We can choose how to earn a living, who to associate with, and more.  When I am in charge and take full responsibility for my life, the world is mine.  I have life by the tail and I can create my own reality.

Truth #2: There are no mistakes and no wrong roads to take.

Every decision we make brings us to greater awareness of our truest selves.  Every choice that is made invites us to look more deeply at who we really are.  Through these choices we discover our values, the timbre of our character, our strengths and weaknesses, our gifts and talents.  Viewed in this light, there is no such thing as a right or wrong road to take.  Every road can lead us to a more complete version of ourselves.

Think about it for a moment.  Ask yourself, ‘What is one of the greatest mistakes I have ever made?’  Then ask yourself what you learned from that experience.  How have you become a better person from having walked through it?  As long as we can reflect upon our experiences along the way, paying close attention to what they have to teach us, we will continue to grow in confidence and character.  Mistakes are for learning.

Truth #3: There is a bigger picture, a higher order at work in our lives.

I also love the saying, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade."  We may not always know why we are being asked to experience certain circumstances, but the fact remains, we are.  If we can flow with what we are given, the lemonade we create from the stock of our lives can be nourishing.  On the other hand, we can continue to squeeze too hard, hoping to get orange juice out of all those lemons and block our growth.  We have been given these lemons for a reason.

As human beings we may not have the capacity to see into the future.  We may not be able to look down from on high to observe where each twist and turn might take us. Instead, trust is in order.  Trust, that where we are being led is perfect for our growth.  Trust, that we are supported by earthly and heavenly companions.  Trust, that, in time, we will move through any difficulty with grace and ease.

Embracing truths such as these can deliver us to the next grandest version of ourselves.  "Waking up" is a tremendous gift provided by an ever-loving Universe that desires each of us to be happy, to live with joy.  The choice is ours whether to slumber on at the base of the tree like Rip Van Winkle, or open our eyes and greet the dawn of a new reality with the spirit of willingness and hope.

Janice Lynne Lundy is an inspirational speaker, interfaith spiritual director, syndicated magazine columnist, and the author of four self-help/spiritual growth books.  Her newest is Your Truest Self: Embracing the Woman You Are Meant to Be (Sorin Books).  Learn more about Jan at her website: www.awakenedliving.com.  Join a growing community of awakened women at her blog: www.awakeisgood.blogspot.com