Be Careful What You Ask For!

I've been asking for clarity lately and I know better. We've all heard the advice to "be careful for what you ask for because you just may get it." Well, my solid belief is that we ALWAYS get what we ask for - every single time. And my latest request was no exception.

The gift of personal clarity came as a result of being evacuated from our close-in mountain home last week because of our proximity to the Fourmile fire. I don't think I'd necessarily pick that delivery system the next time I'm seeking clarity about my life, but it sure was effective!

Of course it certainly was clarifying to grab only those things that we considered on the first pass through, knowing that everything that we didn't bring might not be there when we went back. But that was just the start.

The lessons were unending! I experienced the crystal clear joy of having my small family together and safe versus our things (which up until this experience, part of me still believed we really needed to have these things to be "OK'). I learned about friendship, when, without hesitation, our amazing friends stepped up to share their home with us as well as the many others that offered. I saw an aspect of community I've never experienced, when in a time of need, the love and comfort that can be expressed and found in a like-minded community is absolutely inspiring! I also have a new found respect for the people who deal with public emergencies all over the globe, all of the time. The dedication and tenacity of the firefighters, the sheriff's department, the community government and even big business insurance companies restored my faith and confidence in the value of such experience. I fully expect to continue to unpack the value such an experience brings.

As I wrote in one Facebook post closer to the end of our evacuation, "Much of this process has been experiencing what a "state of grace" feels like. The majority of this experience I have felt 'held' in some very special way. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. It is a visceral truth for me that connections extend way past any geographical boundaries. It makes me wonder now, since this is the case, just what is possible now?"

Indeed, I continue to ask this of not only of my clients, but also of myself. As I approach my 40th birthday, and reflect on the many stages I've gone through, it occurred to me that we don't just live one life. If we're lucky, we get to live many lives - all within our one, BIG juicy life!

What might you be asking for these days, if you knew you would receive it?