If I Could Have Known

If I could have seen this photo 25 years ago, and had any idea whatsoever of what my life would be like, it would have made things so much freakin easier.

If I could have known I would discover what actually made me happy, and that I'd spend my time sharing my gifts, and that I'd indeed meet my "person" and plan our lives together, and that yes - I would fit into clothes properly one day.....my teenage years would have been way happier.

If I could have known how it would all work out, life would have been better.

Thank goodness I didn’t see the photo. Thank goodness I had no idea what was in store for me. Thank goodness I went through everything I did. Thank god/goddess source of all creation that I had absolutely every experience that I did in order to land in this now moment, exactly as I am.

Now, with this as my reference, how could I possibly see any new experience as anything other than perfect and divine? Knowing what I know now - that even the most excruciating situations lead to a more expanded perspective and ability to surrender - how could I ever have anything but gratitude, curiosity, and awe for every single happening that occurs?

The work unfolds into a pure, neutral presence of the perfection of each moment. The discomfort can (will) still be there. The desire to escape the pain or challenge. The anger, the frustration, the visceral sensation that isn’t “fun”.

But the knowing.

The knowing that this will work out beautifully, as it always does, is what keeps me living in a paradise over a hell.