Once Upon a Forest

Long ago, in the sanctuary of a quiet forest, I stood surrounded by towering trees, their branches reaching skyward like prayers. Overcome by a yearning so fierce it felt like fire, I cried out, “Bring it ON!” I wasn’t asking for ease or comfort. I was asking for awakening, for truth, for the kind of transformation that burns away all that isn’t real. I wailed to the heavens that I would endure anything to arrive at “there,” wherever that sacred place might be.

And I was heard.

What followed were decades of challenge, each wave crashing harder than the last. Life unraveled in ways I could not have anticipated. Everything I thought was solid and dependable was blown apart, piece by piece, leaving me with the rawest essence of existence.

The whirlwinds of change were unrelenting, and the pain was often too much to bear. Yet, amidst the wreckage, I discovered a paradoxical truth: the storms of life tore through everything external, but at the center of it all, there was a still, unshakable calm.

I came to know this stillness as the centerpoint of my heart—the space of a deep and sacred presence where peace resides, even as external chaos rages. To find it, I leaned on my spiritual practices like a lifeline. They became the rhythm of my days, the ground beneath my feet, the anchor that tethered me to something eternal.

Facing Life’s Hardest Bits

It is a universal truth that life will ask us to face moments we feel utterly unprepared for. Grief, loss, illness, betrayal, uncertainty—these are not the exceptions but the threads that weave through every human story. Yet, when we are in the depths of these moments, it can feel as if we are uniquely burdened, isolated in our pain.

What does it take to move through these hardest bits? It takes courage—the kind that doesn’t always roar but sometimes whispers, “Just take the next step.” It takes a willingness to surrender, not in defeat but in trust that life is carrying us somewhere meaningful, even if we can’t yet see the horizon.

It takes allowing ourselves to feel everything without numbing or bypassing the intensity of the experience. The pain of these moments is not a sign that something has gone wrong; it is the heart’s way of expanding to hold more. When life breaks us open, it is making space for something new, even if we cannot yet name what that is.

But perhaps most of all, it takes faith—faith in something greater than ourselves, whether we call it the Divine, the universe, or simply the wisdom of life itself. Faith that the darkness will not last forever. Faith that the love holding us is greater than the storm surrounding us.

What It Means to Be Human

To live is to walk through moments of breathtaking joy and unbearable sorrow. It is to rise and fall, to lose and find, to break and heal. This is the paradox of being human: we long for transformation but resist the discomfort it brings.

The hardest bits of life are not punishments or failures. They are teachers, each one offering a lesson in humility, strength, and love. They strip away the illusions we cling to and reveal what is eternal within us.

When we face life’s challenges, we are not separate from the rest of humanity; we are connected by the shared experience of what it means to live, to love, and to endure. The whirlwinds we face have been faced by countless others, and each one of us carries the strength of that collective wisdom within us.

The greatest gift of the hardest bits is the perspective they bring. They remind us that we are more resilient than we think, more deeply connected than we know, and more profoundly loved than we can imagine.

These storms of life can feel overwhelming, but within them lies the opportunity to discover an unshakable stillness. The following guided exploration invites you to reflect, journal, or create, connecting with the calm at the center of your challenges. Let this be a moment to honor your journey and find the sacred wisdom in life’s hardest bits.

A Gentle Note

If you are navigating the tender terrain of trauma, loss, or a deeply life-changing event, please know that you do not have to walk this path alone, and should not. While reflective practices and guided explorations can offer solace and insight, they are not a substitute for the support of a trained professional.

Reaching out to a therapist, counselor, or trusted support network can provide the compassionate care and guidance you deserve. Healing is a sacred and deeply personal journey, and having someone alongside you who understands can make all the difference.

Honor your needs with tenderness and seek the support that nurtures your heart and spirit. You are worthy of care, love, and healing.

Guided Exploration: Embracing the Hardest Bits

Preparation:
Find a quiet space where you can reflect and connect with yourself. Gather whatever tools resonate with you in this moment: a journal, a comforting object, a sketchbook, or simply your open heart. This exploration can be adapted to align with your needs and preferences—feel free to write, draw, or reflect inwardly as feels right to you.

Step 1: Reflect on the Whirlwind

Take three deep breaths, grounding yourself in the present moment.

• Think of a time in your life when you faced one of your smaller challenges. What emotions arise as you recall this time?

• If you’re journaling, describe the experience in words. What did it feel like? What thoughts or sensations came up for you?

• If you’re drawing or creating art, express these emotions visually. Use shapes, colors, or lines that reflect the energy of that moment. Let your instincts guide you—this isn’t about creating something perfect but rather about capturing the feeling.

• If you’re reflecting inwardly, imagine the moment as vividly as you can. Where in your body do you feel the memory? Breathe into those sensations and hold them gently.

Step 2: Find the Centerpoint

Close your eyes and picture the challenge as a whirlwind swirling just beyond you. As you observe it, look for your own calm center—the centerpoint of the heart.

• What does this stillness feel like? Can you sense peace or strength within yourself, even as the wind rages outside of you?

• If you’re journaling, describe this space of calm. If it feels elusive, imagine what it might be like to find it and write about that.

• If you’re drawing or creating art, depict the centerpoint of your heart. You might use soft colors, radiant shapes, or soothing patterns to represent this stillness.

• If you’re reflecting inwardly, focus on this calm space. Sit with it, allowing it to grow stronger with each breath.

Step 3: Reframe the Hardest Bits

Now, consider what gifts may have emerged from this storm, even if they only became clear much later.

• What strengths or wisdom did this experience bring to you? How did it shape you?

• If you’re journaling, write a note of gratitude to the whirlwind. You might thank it for its lessons or for helping you grow.

• If you’re creating art, visualize this gratitude. Perhaps draw symbols of resilience, transformation, or hope—whatever represents the gifts this challenge offered you.

• If you’re reflecting inwardly, hold this gratitude in your heart. Feel it as a warmth spreading through you, honoring the growth that came from the difficulty.

Step 4: Anchor Your Strength

Create a personal affirmation or mantra to carry with you in future challenges.

• Examples might include:

  • “I am held, even in the storm.”

  • “This, too, is the hand of the Divine.”

  • “I am growing through this.”

• If you’re journaling, write this affirmation in your notebook and reflect on why it feels meaningful to you.

• If you’re creating art, illustrate your affirmation. Surround it with designs, colors, or symbols that feel grounding and empowering.

• If you’re reflecting inwardly, repeat this affirmation silently or aloud, letting its truth resonate within you.

A Note on Adaptation:
If writing isn’t accessible for you, let your thoughts flow freely in your mind. If visual expression isn’t your way, imagine a painting or design in your mind’s eye. If movement feels more natural, let your body respond by swaying, tapping, or stretching to express what you feel. The most important thing is to honor your unique way of exploring and reflecting.

This inclusive exploration invites you to engage with life’s hardest bits in a way that feels aligned with who you are in this moment. Whether through words, images, or quiet contemplation, may you discover the still centerpoint of your heart and the gifts hidden in the challenges of life.

From My Heart to Yours...

Life’s hardest bits will never feel easy. They aren’t meant to. But they are part of what makes this human journey sacred and profound. If you are in the midst of a storm right now, know that you are not alone. Every moment of pain and upheaval is also an invitation to awaken, to discover the unshakable calm within you, and to trust that even this is the hand of the Divine.

Lean into your practices, into the love that surrounds you, and into the faith that this storm is shaping you into something extraordinary.

With love and strength,
Laurie

PS…

If you need more support, know that you don’t have to navigate alone. I’m here to walk alongside you on your journey of healing and growth. Feel free to reach out to me—I would be honored to hold space for you as you connect with the stillness within and embrace the sacred unfolding of your life.