Line, Door, or Wall

In every life exists a line, a door, or a wall. To encounter any one or more of the three requires time, energy, devotion and commitment. Crossing this line, opening this door or scaling this wall will initiate and release a new world of reward and understanding. Standing in the way blocking our endeavors to challenge these obstacles are conflicts and struggle which often cause us to shrink back from the opportunities represented by these three. Our perceptions revolve around a misunderstood belief that these three holding us back are at the beck and call of others. We think our ability to cross that line, to open that door or to scale that wall is controlled by others. Many believe it’s others who precipitate and cause our struggles. Nothing could be further from the truth. These three barriers are internal constructions. To achieve dominance over one, two or all three requires us to address and deal with them while putting aside our fears.
 
This line of demarcation, this closed door, this insurmountable wall represent our chosen inability to break free. Breaking free allows us to look beyond our immediate limitations to see the total scope of our past, present and future. A past we can’t change, but can learn from. A present we can change, but only as it relates to our future. A future that will rely on the choices we make in our present based on the things we now know from experiences in our past. Past, present and future are interrelated more than we might imagine. Until we recognize and accept this, the line will remain uncrossed, the door will remain closed and the wall will be too high.
 
In each day there exists only enough time to accomplish the tasks and challenges we have set before us. The energy, devotion and commitment necessary to challenge the struggles that hold us tightly in their grasp must be generated by and from inner strength and confidence. There are methods to effectively eliminate or reduce personal chaotic struggle and conflicts. However for each method employed one common theme is found as an essential element of this success. A focus on balance. Balance between physical wants and spiritual needs. Between mind and body. Between one’s soul and identity. The amount of energy, devotion and commitment needed determines how close, how quickly, and how successfully the line will be crossed, the door opened or the wall scaled once and for all.
 
With maturity comes an awareness of time excised or wasted. With age comes a realization of dreams lost or abandoned. As death draws nigh there may dawn a reluctance or desperation to challenge the line, the door, the wall. Whether one dejectedly gives in or steadfastly determines to forge ahead, both may wonder what waits on the other side? Is it worth the effort needed to find out? Are we willing to take on the struggles representing roadblocks to our latent desires? Is it really worth it? And ultimately, are we worthy of this new or last effort? Many believe they’re not and merely give up. Taking a last breath filled with despair and remorse. Never to be heard from again is not an endearing exit. Many are convinced nothing can be done that might change the inevitable extinguishing of their presence. So why even try? Some reflect on where they have been, what they have done and what the results their past efforts surmised. Good, bad or ugly they recognize it’s never too late to address what waits on the other side of the line, the door, the wall. Not necessarily to conquer, but to at least to accept and understand. In this way making sense of the time, energy, devotion and commitment having been invested over time.
 
An acknowledgment and acceptance of the potential tranquil relief to be released by crossing the line, opening the door or scaling the wall will wash away the residue of resistance that has repeatedly fomented as conflict and struggle. It’s adversities that keep us focused on self and hold us back from accepting a grounding of truth in ourselves. Relief, peace and tranquility (and often enlightenment) await on the other side of our fears. It’s here that clarity of vision comes into being. We begin to see the folly within precipitated by our insecurities that enveloped us as life unfolded before our very eyes. With new knowledge and understanding there now exists absolutely no reason to wait. It’s time to discover what has been hidden in plain sight for an entire lifetime.
To sidestep the drama and trauma of daily life represented by the conflicts and struggles we experience is a goal of many. Sadly there are many who see the end of life as the only way to stop heartbreak and disappointments. It need not be the solution, for there are others. Like the fluid or oil in a hydraulic system which replaces itself in order to complete its task of providing power to move an object, we must discover how to replace the consequences of our struggle with inner tranquility. Meditation works for its practitioners, as does yoga for others. Some philosophies provide thoughtful options and methods for dealing with or overcoming the sense of despair often associated with turmoil. In western cultures mental entanglements are often relieved (temporarily) by spending money on frivolous ‘things.’ So be it, but consumption rarely fills the longing for any depth of extended satisfaction.
 
So, what will fill the void? Interestingly enough it’s satiated when our mental attention is cognitively attune to who we are and the steps we are taking to become who we aspire to be. The relationship between us as individuals and by extension with others is highly influenced by this balance within our own nature. Remember; mind and body, soul and identity, spirit and humanism. We are each made up of a variety of dichotomies. It’s difficult be one totally and successfully contribute in today’s world. Functioning balance should be our goal. We’re each a cumulative combination of all the oppositions that make us the person we are. We need preparation to cross that line, open that door or scale that wall. In doing so we can expand better understanding of ourselves and how we best fit into our world. In this way we can start down a pathway which expresses more love and compassion to and for those important to us.
 
The test in this exercise of growth is grounded in the fact we must traverse the gap between who we are, and who we would like to become. That is, from this side to the other. For it’s only on the other side of the line, door, or wall that we are released from the onslaught of daily conflicts and struggles. The good news is, it can be accomplished. However, like crawling and then walking before we can run, our triumphs come through progressive and success building blocks or steps. So when we begin we start at the beginning. The farther we travel, the faster our efforts show positive and reassuring results. That is, growth sustained produces peace and tranquil understanding which can translate into behavior and responses in our world of challenges and demands. Subsequently more understanding is revealed.
 
How do we initiate and go about this transformation? We start by accepting ourselves. Who we are, right here, right now. Then by having a vision of who we would like to become. What new and different character traits and behaviors do we want to have as our own? Each of us has a myriad of examples in our lives of character and traits we wish were ours. Just look around. Surely there are people in your world you admire and want to emulate. What traits are you looking to copy and make your own? Are the traits and characteristics you desire one’s that will help you become a more balanced individual? If not, what’s the point? If you just want more wealth and possessions then understand that the quest for things of the world comes with the world’s consequences. (Those being struggle and conflict, because the very nature of human existence is survival of self at all costs and regardless of the consequences to others.) That’s why the rich and powerful continue to prosper at the expense of the many. Their avarice drives them to acquire wealth and its trappings irrespective of damage or loss incurred by others. It’s been this way since the beginning of tribal communities and will continue to be as such in the future.
 
We transform ourselves only by accepting who we are, right now, and then using that strength to overcome, or transform, our weaknesses. Where do we get help to accomplish this growth? On the other side of that line, behind that door, beyond that wall. You’ll notice these three ‘obstacles’ appear to be different as to their levels of difficulty. This is because they represent different levels of change needed to accomplish our transformation. It’s much easier to cross a line than to open a door. And scaling a wall is always harder than the other two. At least one of these may represent the depth and breadth of struggle or conflict holding you back from more fulfilling relationships.
 
All life is a series and combination of relationships. Whether they are personal, family, business, friends or acquaintances. Each relationship you are in has different intensity and dynamics. So the line, door or wall can be different or even fluctuate. Each relationship we have can generate challenges and is represented by the line, door or wall.
 
The goal is to make everyone of our relationships a process of positive reciprocity in order to aid in our development establishing growth leading to greater balance. In doing so we become a more trusted and valued friend, business associate or family member. In this way our transformation unfolds. Like the budding flower we begin to bloom, slowly at first then more rapidly as the positive energy we give and receive is welcomed in our small world. As we reduce the struggles and conflicts in our life and relationships, those which linger still causing difficulties will soon be replaced or discarded.
 
As our transformation evolves we begin to realize we don’t need or want the drama, trauma and negative energy hampering or delaying our progress. As balance starts to become our reality we begin to more easily accept the presence and role of truth in ourselves and in our life. At the same time we start recognizing truthfulness or lack thereof in our relationships and in the immediacy of the world surrounding us. We can now actively compare and contrast the peace and confidence of our transformed decisions and behaviors. As we become more balanced continued growth and confidence provides strength to overcome the obstacles on our path which held us back; our line, door or wall. The rewards that accompany new growth and confidence can and will change who we are, who we thought we were, and who we now know we can become.
 
Welcome and recognize the reality of your line, door or wall. But know they are your constructs. Look inward to see you now have the power to cross, open, or scale these obstructions. Embrace this opportunity to transform who you are into who you will be.


​Branch Isole

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