It is said, “The teacher will appear when the student is ready.”
Apparently, teachers can come in many forms, and I certainly was not expecting the arrival of this teacher that gray and chilly October morning when I received a phone call from a woman I held in such high esteem.
It was a particularly stressful time in my life with the pressures of a corporate job, health issues I had never experienced previously, managing a staff, on top of overseeing the care of my dying mother who had only a few months to live.
To say I thought I could “do it all” is an understatement.
It never once occurred to me to give myself permission to step out of the race for a bit so I could take care of the only me there is. Nope, I opted for being the Martyr on the verge of a mental and physical breakdown. The exact type of woman I love helping. At the time, I just didn’t see it.
Upon saying “hello” I was met with a barrage of hurtful criticisms and unwarranted accusations as this woman unleashed what seemed like every transgression she’d experience. The angry energy pulsing through the airwave stunned me into a panicked state of childhood being severely scolded by my mother.
For nearly 10 minutes, I said nothing, just listened as I felt the heat rise in my body and the lump of shame in my throat barred me from speaking. When she finished her storm of rage, I attempted with as much humble dignity and grace as I could to understand her feelings and apologize for the damage I had apparently caused.
After the call, I felt so humiliated that I curled up on the floor and ugly cried. This was not a proud moment for me. In fact, this incident brought on so much guilt, embarrassment, and shame that I could not even share my feelings of deep sorrow with those closest to me or even my own trustworthy coach until months later. By that time, I had done quite a lot of my own soul searching and understood the meaning behind it all.
Little did I understand at the time, it was the moment I subconsciously told myself “This is complete and utter nonsense (or something a little stronger) and I have had enough! I am meant for so much more in this life.” Quite frankly, we all are. Every single one of us deserves so much more than what we allow.
This was also the moment when the Universe heard me, loud and clear, and began putting things into motion that months later allowed me to leave my corporate career and step into a life truly desired. Additionally, it gave me the beautiful opportunity to care for my mom who was in the last few months of her life. Two gifts I will always cherish.
This incident also revealed to me that people are hurting. This woman, while directing her anger towards me, was simply temporarily targeting me as the source of her own fear, anxiety, and shortcomings. I now know it really had nothing to do with me, it was only a moment in time that has now passed and I’m quite certain that if it all happened again, we would handle it differently.
The lesson for us all is to remember that life isn’t happening TO you, it’s happening THROUGH you and FOR you. This can only be seen with an open mind and looking through a different lens while accepting the world as it is.
Though it was a tough lesson for me at the time, I am and will forever be grateful for how things unfolded. Today, I help others shift their perspectives and grow into who they are meant to be through various life transitions.
I share this experience with you all in the hopes you will look at your life through a new lens to see there are limitless possibilities in the world for you. Also, to give yourself and others grace before jumping into victimhood or blame over anything. We never know what’s going on in the life of someone else and when we open our hearts and eyes to the fact that it isn’t just about us; we’re humans and all in this together, we create a world of love, peace, and joy.
If the Universe is telling you, it’s time for a shift, I am here to help. Schedule your complimentary consultations with me today to see what is possible for you.
Love and Light,
Michèle