Health & Wellness
The Teaching Power of Conflict
Jun
For many of us, we have experienced a time where reaching a low point in our lives or facing a struggle ended up being a major turning point for us on a path to greater wellness and happiness. Perhaps losing a job we didn’t love ended up resulting in our finding a better one or even starting our own entrepreneurial endeavor. Perhaps an illness prompted a new desire for greater health and wellness. Perhaps an ended relationship led to finding our soulmate. The list goes on. We have all had this happen and certainly know friends and family with similar stories. But WHY??
In my experience, there are two major reasons why conflict, struggle, and pain arise for us and can actually be major learning moments sent to us by the universe for our betterment.
Pain Gets Our Attention
I think one of the biggest reasons these moments show up is that we cannot deny them. They slap us in the face, bang us over the head, bring us to our knees. We must examine what life is trying to teach us by the pain or be overwhelmed by its consequences. Many spiritual teachers and life coaches refer to such a phenomenon as the “dark night of the soul”. When our life is overcome by darkness, moving toward light is our only way out.
Contrast Is A Powerful Teaching Tool
Contrast is an effective teaching tool in many ways and many occasions. In the culinary world, chefs place sweet in contrast to sour. We fully relish coming up for a breath of fresh air after swimming underwater at the beach. Athletic coaches and trainers demonstrate improper technique in order to reinforce good form. And I remember when my sons were young guiding them just near enough a fire to feel the heat so that they would fully understand why it was so dangerous for them to touch it, teaching them “Hot!” meant “No, stay far away!” in a dangerous situation.
Similarly, in our emotional and spiritual growth, what better way to show a student the beauty of light and love than to encase them momentarily in darkness?
Listen to The Whispers
The next question that arises is, of course, does it have to be this way? The answer is, like in most things, “It depends.” I believe that we are all put on this earth to fully realize and remember our true authentic spiritual existence – to grow and expand our relationship with the divine. The universe will send us lessons along the way as a means of presenting its curriculum. Often, these lessons will first come as whispers or gentle guidance. Sometimes we recognize these; other times we don’t. When we don’t, the experiences will become louder and louder until we finally accept the teaching moment and set about doing the work of learning the lesson.
Faith
And then, also, there are the times that are utterly inexplicable. Those worse than anyone could ever imagine moments. Perhaps they have happened to us. Perhaps to others. All we can do is look up and ask, “Why?” I cannot explain these. I have found few people who even endeavor to try.
What I do know is that the more I open myself to the lessons of the universe’s teaching moments, the more I understand the true majesty of the road map of my life. In reflection, I can appreciate the closed doors, illnesses, disappointments, and moments of suffering, as well as the victories, blissful moments, epiphanies, and joys. I have to believe that if God’s hand has been at work so deliberately, though often mysteriously, for me as an individual, the same holds true for all of His creation. Faith asks us to surrender to that greater power and trust its beauty and wisdom, even when – perhaps especially when – we cannot understand it.
I wish you well on your journey. I wish you light. I wish you love.
- Tools to Accept Change in Your Life - September 14, 2021
- The Blessing of Change - May 12, 2021
- Rituals to Welcome Spring - March 30, 2021
