Lost and Finding Joy

You might know this if you’ve been following my work. Several years ago, I had a deep spiritual experience while I was under anesthesia during my ear surgery . When the nurses were waking me up after the surgery, I mumbled, “No, no. The real world sucks.” I don’t know why I said that, but I have thought about it many times.

I looked up the meaning of real world:

Real world noun 1.the existing state of things, as opposed to one that is imaginary, simulated, or theoretical. . .

Because I said, “the real world sucks,” did it mean that I wasn’t in reality? Was I in an “imaginary” place? I don’t know, but I don’t think so. Dreams come from ideas of things we know or see. This place was like nothing here. I can’t even really describe the feelings. The closest thing I can say is that it was a place of the most unconditional and purest love. There was no judgment at all. There were light beings around me. I didn’t have to explain who I was or my heart to them. They didn’t have to explain who they were. I knew them. I felt them. They knew me. We communicated without words, and without having to retrieve from memory or the mind. There was an instant communication that was being downloaded in and through my heart or soul. That’s the only way I know how to explain it.

Even though I obviously wasn’t ready to leave that place, I am grateful to still be in this world. I’ve learned so much over the past several years by being here and experiencing this “real world.” Yes, at times it can be very difficult. And sometimes, frankly, it can suck — big time!

Personally, throughout all of it, I’ve gotten some things right, and a lot of things wrong. By God’s grace, I have enjoyed some amazing things, and some incredible blessings. My greatest treasure has been my family — being a wife, mother and now a grandmother. I have experienced many things — some wonderful, some neutral, and some that have been pretty difficult. But, without the perception of good and bad, we wouldn’t learn anything. The author and life coach, Mary Morrissey once said, “The content of our lives is the curriculum of our evolution.” That statement resonates with my soul. It’s not about judgment. It’s about growth. The experiences we have in this world, teach us. Sometimes we learn more from our mistakes and our trials, than we do from getting it right and peaceful times.

This is God’s perfect plan. I am grateful for every day. I pray for forgiveness when I fall short. I pray that God will be like a lamp unto my feet, as I continue to navigate through this wonderful real world.

God didn’t say it would be easy, but it will absolutely be worth it:

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.- (John 16:33 KJV)