Shedding Layers

When we say the phrase, "shedding layers".  In what context are we exactly speaking?

I'd assume for a majority of us, when we say "shedding layers".  We are speaking on behalf of things that no longer serve us, like old habits, thinking patterns, or whatever else.  Generally something negative, something that is not serving us in a positive light.  Well, what if I told you that it is just as important to shed layers that do serve you, things about you that you'd never ever think about letting go of.  Now, you're probably asking, "but why?!"

First, please allow me to express my personal encounter with this...one that is actually present as I sit here on my bedroom floor in my favorite sweat pants jamming out to my "pre-yoga playlist" which is awesome by the way.

Lately, I have been feeling "off."  But what does off entail?  Generally speaking, not feeling like your normal self.  But what was interesting is that I couldn't pinpoint the root cause of me getting to where I am now and feeling what I am feeling, more importantly.  I was/am in a good space, nothing traumatic has happened, no rude encounters, no ill social exchanges, no poisonous thoughts, but then I started thinking about my move back to Denver and wala!  My reason for feeling "off" was found.  But still, what was this off feeling telling me?  Or teaching rather.

Back to shedding layers.  We usually shed layers that have a negative association and may be dimming our light, but what I came to find was that I am still letting go of certain behaviors and thought patterns that I became/identified with while my time in St. George; all of which are super positive and have been monumental in my growth.  What is so fascinating about this is that we construct ourselves based upon the environment we are in or in my circumstance, transitioning to.  I believe however, that this applies to any and ALL CHANGE that occurs in our life thus the reason why change is sometimes difficult.  We are adaptive beings.  We shed what we need in order to become what we must.  It's imperative we allow shedding of ALL layers of self even if it is something we love so much about us.  We must allow every dimension of ourselves to transform and transcend through creating space by way of sending layers.  Trust that the shedding is creating necessary space for something even better and of greater service to you.

As I take my journey back to Denver, these layers I am shedding (the good ones) are tough to detach from (because I like them so much) but what an amazing lesson being taught.  This new space being created is one that will bring in even greater energies than before.  Life is damn difficult at times but remember to always trust in the process.  There is divine order in everything we experience and if you wish to live free, live detached from outcomes, assumptions, expectations, and Ego.

This has been such a beautiful unfolding of life and I am forever grateful to be here, now, with you all in this time space reality.

**Shedding is a transformative process**A caterpillar sheds its layers and transforms into a butterfly**Shed all your layers and become the beautiful butterfly you are meant to be**

Peace be the journey, Jace

Life as a Video Game

What if life were just like a video game?  Think about it...

In a video game, depending on the type of game, there is generally some sort of common set up which is the concept of "levels".  Lets speak on behalf of video games for a second and if you have never played a video game, allow me to explain a little more in detail.

Generally speaking, in a video game, there are levels.  You start out at some point, lets call that point, A and the goal is to get to point B.  Now, in order to get to point A, you go through different parts of conflict and success.  You learn new skills and acquire new knowledge and experience, sometimes you even collect tools to help you get closer to point B.  After your journey from point A to point B, you are now faced with a possible and probable dilemma which in the video game world is known as "THE BOSS LEVEL".  Once you reach the "boss level" you are equipped with the proper knowledge and skills to beat the boss level and then move to the next level which is from point B to point C.

Let us take a moment to revisit this sequence of events.  Now, in life, just like in this metaphorical video game, we journey from one point to another and throughout this journey we learn all sorts of skills and more so gain experience to overcome the "boss level".  The "boss level" in reference to our reality can be seen as the moments of adversity or rather moments where we are faced with some direct conflict that in order to move to the next level, we must overcome or "beat" for the sake of video game lingo.  Now.. sometimes, if not most of the time when these "boss level" moments appear in our lives we do one of two things which is an innate response to conflict.. FIGHT OR FLIGHT.  We either rise up to the conflict and FIGHT or more properly overcome it or we FLIGHT aka run away or don't face it.  Both have certain outcomes, obviously.  When we FIGHT the boss, we win, we succeed, we learn, we transcend, we gain more experience! and when we FLIGHT or run away, we do not transcend or move to the next level and instead, we go back to the previous journey and learn/gain even more in order to beat the first "boss level".  Keep in mind that when we retreat, we do not transcend to the next level of consciousness.  Maybe we aren't as prepared as we could be?  Maybe the journey we took to point B we skipped a few major learning moments and cheated ourselves out of valuable lessons that we could've used on the "boss level".  This is where the journey from point A to point B is of the upmost importance and more to what we need to learn.  We must carry awareness with us throughout this journey to acquire the proper skills and knowledge to beat the "boss level".

Now that we have an understanding of life put in the context of a metaphorical video game, get out there and learn what you need to learn!  Do what you have to do!  Sacrifice what you must!  And remember, when life seems to be at its hardest moment, you have reached the end of your level; use what you have learned and trust in your ability.  We will never know what we are capable of doing until we choose to FIGHT instead of FLIGHT.  There are two main options in every circumstance, accept and embrace where you are and what you feel, or run away and allow fear to turn you away from transcendence.  If you fail, guess what?  You have learned.  In every moment of failure, we have learned what does not work and we can continue to refine ourselves and see what is working for us.  Life is difficult at times but remember, they are just that...times, moments, impermanent experiences.

Be courageous and allow the fear or not knowing be the driving force into making the unknown, known.

"Do not go gentle into that good night."

Namaste - J