Heaven is closer than we think
In the midst of tragedy, sadness, depression, or just the general ups and downs of life, our situations tend to make us focus on all that is wrong, bad, unfortunate.
And that may very well be so: things may actually be wrong, bad, or unfortunate. It’s hard to dismiss the facts and ignore the emotions we feel for whatever we’re going through. If anything, acknowledging what’s happening as they are, feeling our feelings all the way through our bodies, and being present and aware through things may be exactly what we need to do. To get things out of our heads and process them in reality, to see things with clear eyes, and pick ourselves up one step at a time.
This is not about pushing things aside, but about embracing them head on. But it’s also not about staying in the wrong, bad, and unfortunate. Events are singular. They may have baggage, but they only endure in our minds. The concept of letting go is something that happens precisely because we, naturally as humans, hold on to things. At some point, we have to come to grips with what it is we’re holding onto: an idea, a grudge, a regret, something we wish is still the case but is not, something we wish someone was but isn’t actually so, something we thought about ourselves but we have to face. Whatever it is, it starts with acceptance and facing the music. We can’t stay in the void forever.
Allowing things to be what they are is part of life, whether that’s lettings things unfold as they happen, letting someone else think what they think, letting go of what we thought was meant for us, and letting things be as they are.
Sometimes, we don’t need to spiritually be anywhere else than where we already are. We have to accept with who we are in the moment, the imperfect part of ourselves, the less than ideal situations we find ourselves in, and take them exactly as they are.
We may want to hide or go someplace else in our minds thinking there’s somewhere else to go to. But if the body is a temple, then our minds can be sanctuary, as noisy and cluttered sometimes it can be.
Heaven is closer than we think. We just have to think it. And more importantly, treat life as if we’re already there.
January 10, 2025