We are part of Nature, and like the moon and weather, our lives flow in phases. Some are wonderful, and we love it when they arrive. Others are difficult, and we must force ourselves to realize that the experience and feelings won’t last forever. This post is about a phase I call “the crossroads.”

You know you’ve arrived at a crossroads in Life when you feel yourself in some sort of abyss. You’ve walked a path to its end. The past is complete. The future is unknown. You’re neither here nor there.

Most of us do not like being at a crossroads. We think, “I feel like nothing is happening.” “I’m trying to create something but can’t.” “I don’t know who I am anymore. I’m not who I was. I don’t even like some of the same things, but nothing is replacing them.” “What’s wrong with me? Why can’t I just get on with it?”

Years ago, I was in a restless, agitated phase and felt a little of each of the above. One morning I was sitting in my yard drinking tea, grounding, and trying to release my inner frustrations when my turkey vulture ally arrived. What a blessed surprise. She flew close and landed on a tree directly in front of me. It was a hot day, and I watched while she rested in the shade. Her eyes flitted back and forth several times, and then, when she knew where she wanted to go, she extended her large wings and flew off.

Her teaching: Rest. Notice. And then take action.

A wave of gratitude washed over me. Finally! I had a perspective about my state of being. I decided to envision myself on a plush lounge chair, lying back and relaxing in the center of a circular crossroads. Resting. Noticing. Enjoying a pure chill space.

When we find ourselves at a crossroads, it’s difficult to envision the future. Sometimes it feels like being immersed inside a dense fog. This can be frustrating, especially for people who identify as movers and shakers, or who always need to be doing something, or who believe they’re in control of their lives.

Think about control for a minute. Do you believe that you have it?  Or do you allow the Universe/the Mystery to guide you in mysterious ways? Do you force things to happen? Or is your will unified with the Divine in a timing just outside your grasp?

When I first learned hands-on healing, I discovered I could either push the energy, pull the energy, or remain in allow and just let it flow. I soon realized this applied to Life. Sometimes it’s necessary to flex our will and push. Rarely, at least for me, is pulling appropriate. I’ve tried, but it hasn’t worked out that well. But being in allow… Swimming in the sea of allow… Breathing. Observing. Recognizing. Maybe sometimes giving a little push …seems to be the ticket.

A friend said to me too many times, “Annie, it is what it is.” I was never able to accept his wisdom. Until then. I had landed at a crossroads, so I accepted my fate, sat down upon my cozy chair (it even swirled around so I could see 360 degrees!) and explored Life from an expanded overview. As my usual daily activities continued, I noticed that my level of acceptance was deepening. It took longer than I would have liked, but the fog finally began to s-l-o-w-l-y dissipate and reveal a new path. Yea!

It’s a little impulsive to run down the first visible path, but if we use our imagination, we can explore it before we get off our chairs and take any literal steps. I traversed the path in my mind many times, applying this teaching from my spirit teacher:

Imagination is the bridge to the spirit realm.

It’s also a fabulous tool at the crossroads.

But then I began getting impatient. Other people had parts to play along this new path, and I wanted them to be in my timing. Luckily I remembered another teaching.

Make patience your most welcome guest.

Ok. I had a guest.

I decided to enjoy my crossroads experience. I had a perfect seat with my vision as high and wide as my turkey vulture friend. I was relaxed (mostly), trusting, and “swimming in the sea of allow…” All with my guest named Patience.

One day I felt ready. The fog had fully lifted, and my mind was clear. I stood up, stepped away from my chair, offered a prayer of gratitude to the Universe, (and my wonderful chair), and began walking upon a new path.

Every crossroads offers opportunities for relaxation and restoration. There’s nothing else to do, so why not enjoy them? The next time, and there will be a next time, you realize you’re at a crossroads, do an experiment. Create your own cozy swivel chair and place it in the center. Sit down. Lean back. Breathe. Notice. Enjoy the fog or whatever might be clouding your vision. Use your imagination to open up to new possibilities. Laugh as much as possible. And most importantly,

Trust that Life has led you there.

Then, however long it takes, when you feel ready, take action. If we can get out of the way and surrender, maybe hanging out at a crossroads can be fun.

(This is for a couple of my dear friends – and you of course! – who are finding themselves at a crossroads right now.)