Reflections

We know it takes nine months for a baby to be born or seasons for a seed we plant to bear fruit. So why don’t we accept that personal awareness follows a natural process that requires time and effort?

Believe me, I’ve questioned the healing and transformation process for years. Why does it have to be so difficult? And eventually, I found my answer….

Each of the processes I’ve described in this article is an intense journey in itself. Their parallel development leads transformation into a natural process unique to each individual and humanity as a whole. As our nervous system rebuilds itself, repetition of old patterns, indecision, and the pain we feel are natural.

Although we tie our wishes to the brighter aspects of life, no year passes without confronting the darker parts of ourselves. Nor should it. Embracing the potential hidden in our shadows and transforming it into life is one of the best things that can happen to us.

In fact, there’s a way to break free from repeating ourselves that’s both incredibly simple and difficult: NOW – staying in the moment.

Speaking of learning something new, have you noticed there aren’t many truly different stories around us? In our personal, professional, and social lives, we often repeat the same narratives. Only the players and settings change, while our feelings remain the same. That’s a sign of mindlessness.
Mindfulness is staying present, aware, and open to all the data we perceive without judgment.
Despite its simplicity and obvious benefits, if we’re hesitant to try mindfulness, there may be deeper questions to explore. Perhaps something is holding us back from fully embracing life and letting go.

I want to know how I should feel.
Have you experienced the awareness of the need for guidance in situations you are not familiar with or the limitations of self-discovery and expression due to the culture you live in?

While our paths in the experience of love may differ, we generally agree that loving oneself is the hardest part.
It all begins with attention. If we listen to the voice within, to our bodies, our lives, our decisions, our homes, our wardrobes, our work, and our friends, what would they say? What messages would we receive if we listened without censorship? If we listened even deeper, what hidden truths might emerge within and around us? Wouldn’t we get to know ourselves better? Don’t we deserve that attention?

When I decided to relocate back to Istanbul, I thought at first that all I needed was two suitcases like I had when I moved to New Jersey as a graduate student decades ago.