I completely agree that some of life's best changes are effected in a process that takes time. And, I have had lighting-flash epiphanies, some of which have been so astonishing I haven't recognized the "me" I was a few moments before. Some of these quick-changes have included:
Taking on 100% responsibility for what my life means. I kind of crept on this, so it was a process of sorts, but the actual commitment to take on 100% responsibility was made in a moment. I will never forget the weekend that that happened; it was remarkable and earthshattering and has made possible most of the amazing things that are going on in my life now, not least of which is my dazzling relationship with Danger Man.
Waking up one morning, absolutely in love with my own body. That happened this year, maybe you read about my experience here in this forum. One day, I had all kinds of things I hated and wanted to change about my body, and the next, I couldn't take my eyes off my own reflection in the mirror! Gratitude, love, amazement, perfection.... all these things I couldn't even imagine having felt for my physical self -- POOF! -- were suddenly right there in front of me. That was a great morning, believe me.
Another flash epiphany for me (actually it was a one-day process) was the moment I reconciled my desire for autonomy with my desire to feel deeply connected with people. This one was a result of looking at a childhood incident in which I decided I was stuck between mother & father -- I couldn't make everybody happy (and so I couldn't make ANYbody happy.) When I examined that thought, I saw that I had set up my entire life so that I was stuck between a rock and hard place, in all kinds of different ways that I didn't recognize consciously. When I saw the impact that had on my life, how pervasive it was, and how it was the decision of a child, I was free to invent something new for myself that worked better: being Free, Connected, and Joyful. In the moment that I invented that for myself, I felt reborn. This one change has been one of the most powerful things I've ever done for myself -- and now being Free, Connected, and Joyful is something I can generate all over my life. It is meaning that works for me!
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