Navigating Challenging Inner Shifts and Turning Points

How to walk through those bumpy transitions

“The turning point in the lives of those who succeed usually comes at the moment of some crisis, through which they are introduced to their other selves.” — Napoleon Hill

Hello, beloved Pub Family and other Medium travellers!

Well, we’re halfway through the first month of 2024. How’s it going so far? What’s been occupying your time? Your thoughts?

And what’s been making you happy? I’d love to know the answers to these questions if you’d care to share in the comments. Really. I would. Or I wouldn’t ask. 💜

As you can see from the image above, today’s theme is about turning points. It’s about those transitions that we don’t necessarily see externally but we’re well aware that something is shifting inside ourselves.

Sometimes, there’s an obvious event or set of circumstances that precipitates the shift. Other times, it’ll sneak up on you, a subtle intruder tiptoeing through the quietest corners of your mind until it trips, knocks into a little side table and sends a favourite lamp crashing to the floor.

All you’ve got left are broken bits of lamp. Without it, it’s pretty dark up there. And you’ve gotta try to find your way through it. Now what??

Well, that’s what we’re going to talk about today.

I was chatting with someone on Medium recently who is undergoing some significant shifts. This process was causing a lot of doubt, questions and confusion. And who can’t relate to that?

I suggested that she was at a turning point, a time of transformation, and along with a few others I know who are in the same boat (including myself), I thought it was a timely topic — especially with a new calendar year nudging some people to consider the notion of making big changes.

A turning point isn’t always a happy event; it can bring up old wounds and upsetting events or feelings of regret and a whole mess of “if onlys.” Those bloody “if onlys” … they are the source of so much pain and misery.

And they certainly won’t help you shift into any sort of forward motion. Nope. They’ll keep you stuck in the past, chewing on how much they hurt.

There was certainly that temptation with the life-changing injury I sustained 14 months ago. I could have gone down the “if only” road, regretting the events that led to the injury but I didn’t. That might be because I figured it would only be a few months at most and I’d have my life back, along with the full use of my leg and the ability to walk again.

Ouch. I’m not sure if that thought makes me want to laugh or cry.

So I push it away, take a deep breath, and even if I can’t see where this road will take me or how long I might be on it, I focus on how far I’ve come.

And I can’t help but notice how quietly this road has been changing me.

For some time now, I’ve felt like I’m in the midst of a slower-than-a-snail-paced turning point. If it was something I could actually see, it would be like going through one of those fabulously interesting (to me, anyway) revolving doors, but instead of it taking seconds, I entered on one side and a lo-o-o-o-o-ong time later, I still haven’t come out the other side.

And it’s about more than my ongoing journey toward being able to walk and eventually get my life back at some point. It began a few years prior to my injury due to several deeply distressing circumstances over which I had little or no control. Thankfully, my life is much more settled now and I’m blessed to be able to focus on my healing.

But all of it has changed me — is still changing me. It’s made me question everything. It’s made me reassess my beliefs. It’s made me contemplate the bigger picture and consider why certain things happen — or don’t. It’s made me re-evaluate choices, destiny, fate, and whether or not there is such as thing as “meant to be.”

It’s not like this is the first time I’ve been pushed to the point of questioning, doubting, examining and re-evaluating. Often, it was precipitated by major unpleasant events. Sometimes by more private crises of faith, or those dark nights of the soul.

In earlier years, that place of questioning and transition was frightening. I’d worked so hard to get to know myself after childhood training forced me to keep my thoughts and feelings so hidden, even I was unaware of them, and having barely said “Hello,” I was being challenged to replace them. My identity was at stake with memories and feelings and new information, new ideas as the world opened up to me — as I opened up to myself.

My inner world was completely shaken. Meanwhile, I hadn’t yet learned any of the necessary tools to help me navigate those rough waters. 🤦🏻‍♀️

But I can promise you … there are lots of tools available if you’re in the midst of uncomfortable, confusing, or distressing periods of transition or transformation, whether in your beliefs, your desires, your feelings, what’s important to you — anything that upsets your inner world.

Everyone faces turning points. It’s especially common amongst those of us who are deeply spiritual and/or sensitive souls who want to create better lives, to heal our wounds, to find happiness and a sense of purpose. You might start to feel as though you’ve lost your anchor or your compass, whatever holds you steady or keeps you on course.

I’ve been going through that myself for quite a while now. Most of the time, I can sit with it and trust that as I keep healing, I’ll get more than just glimpses of who I used to be. I have to believe that at some point, I’ll get my life back. 🤞

And at other times, especially on the days when I’m challenged with painful or uncomfortable symptoms, when I’m so utterly exhausted I can hardly see straight, I’m frustrated. I don’t want to do this anymore. I’m fed up with not recognising myself and bloody hell, I just want to be the person I used to be!

But I haven’t allowed myself to consider — or rather, to accept — that I’m not that person anymore. The events of the past few years have taken a toll and now it’s my job to turn them into gold.

Just what that’ll look like, I couldn’t say. I have visions of the girl in “Rumpelstiltskin” who is locked in a tower and has to spin straw into gold. The trouble is, she has no clue how to do it but if she doesn’t figure it out, she’ll be executed. Okay, I don’t expect to be executed, but let’s just say I can appreciate how she felt.

I might not know how to turn that straw into gold right now, but I guess I’ll figure it out when I get there.

And so it is the same for you.

If you’re in the midst of walking through that revolving door, whether suddenly and unexpectedly, or if you’re over here in the super slow lane with me, don’t worry about who you’ll be or how you’ll be different when you come out the other side.

View this period of transition as an opportunity to explore hidden aspects of yourself. For a totally different take on self-awareness, meditate and discover the art of observing. Welcome lots of different beliefs and ideas. Try them on for a while; see how they feel. Eventually, you’ll find the ones that fit.

There’s no need to panic. No need to be afraid. I know, the unknown isn’t always particularly appealing. At the end of the day, you’ve got to trust yourself, to remember that at your core, the essence of who you are, because of — or in spite of — any and all circumstances, is the same as ever. You might change how you express yourself based on shifting beliefs and expanding ideas, but that’s okay. You’ll figure it out. Absolutely.

In the meantime, I’m right here with you, not always enjoying this journey of “Who the hell am I after all that’s happened?” and you probably aren’t either. But I’m on it with you, nonetheless, doing my best to spin straw so I can find the gold and have my freedom again.

We’ll get there.

The Invitation: I’d love to see your submissions on whatever came up for you on reading this. Have you been — or are you in — a period of transition that was frightening? That left you questioning everything? That made you doubt even your most fundamental beliefs? How did you cope (or are you coping) with it?

Have you ever felt like you didn’t recognise yourself? What did you do (are you doing) to get through that? Have you ever experienced a significant event or situation that changed you?

Please share your stories and poems on these or other related topics and let’s help each other get through a bumpy time of uncertainty.

Boost Program!

Well, kids, I did it! I applied to be a Boost nominator! Please wish me luck! (Well, wish “us” luck because if I get a happy “Yes,” it’s good for you, too!)

I know HHH isn’t one of the big guns (yet!!), but we’re growing something lovely here and I trust that when the Medium Powers That Be eventually turn up for a peek (which can take months apparently), they’ll see your many and varied brilliantly Hopeful, Healing and Humorous stories and poems and they’ll say, “YES! More please!” and we will be a Boosty kinda joint! Crossin’ fingers and all else that is crossable!

I appreciate your ongoing support of HHH, of me, and of each other!

January Contest — Prize is $50 USD

For some time, Witchy has wondered about a particular question:

What do you think it’s like to be a tube of lipstick?

Let your imagination run wild! Bear in mind Witchy’s fun and playful, sweet spirit as you write a minimum of 300 words for this story.

Here are the details:

• You’ve gotta be one of HHH’s writers
• Stories must be at least 300 words in length
• Submitted to Hope, Healing and Humour (draft only, as usual, please)
• The writer who submits the funniest or most imaginative, creative story will win $50 USD (you must have a valid Paypal or Ko-fi account to receive this prize)
• Deadline: 30 January, 2024, midnight MST
• Winner will be announced Saturday, 3 February, 2024

Not familiar with Witchy? Here’s her publication

As usual, we had such lovely submissions this week! And a couple more fab entries to Witchy’s lipstick contest!

Take a look and please support your fellow Pub Family members by reading and engaging!

Rick Allen shares a truly lovely and deeply meaningful story that I’m sure will resonate with everyone in some way:

Lisa Precious / Smiley Blue offers an inspiring story with several great tips to help you reach a sense of balance in your life:

Carrie Kolar offers a sweet, gentle and compassionate sharing of her lovely heart to help us be easier on our Writing Selves in this beautiful piece:

Tamara Embrey has written an incredible poignant and beautiful tribute to a remarkable woman who was her friend and mentor, and who had powerful and inspiring messages to share, right up until her death:

Sally Prag shares a beautiful story about how to find balance when it seems absolutely impossible — and who can’t relate to that??

Daniel Ng offers a poignant look at what it takes to make a marriage work — even one that is challenged in such a difficult way as his is:

AJ has written about his frustrations with being stuck in his comfort zone at work (and who hasn’t ever been stuck in that zone in some aspect of life??!). We also learn what happened when he dared step out of it…check this truly inspiring and highly relatable story:

HAPPINESS + WEALTH ⭐ relates an experience that serves as a beautiful wake-up call in gratitude and appreciation:

Sam David Parker🌸 offers some short, sweet thoughts about time and what matters most:

And for Witchy’s Contest:

Cristina Cattai has written an adorable story about a tube of lipstick that sees the beauty in people who don’t see it in themselves:

Check out Chantal Christie Weiss’ incredibly interesting — and historic — take on being a tube of lipstick!

Tagging our beloved Pub Family so you can stay on top of pub news, support each other, and have a shot at the contest!

I appreciate all of you more than I can say. Thank you so much for your ongoing kindness in supporting HHH and me!

Love and blessings, Your grateful editor, Liberty 💜

Kris Bedenian Rodney Brazier Patti Murray Voncannon Carrie Kolar Croix Sather Deb Fiore Dina Alexander DL Nemeril Donnette Anglin Loren Lieberthal Jimmy Misner Jr. Judy Millar Julie Gaeta Pene Hodge Karen Schwartz James Knight Dr. Preeti Singh Radhika Iyer Sam Branstner Umme Salma Tamil T Mann Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles Lion~ Wendy S. Bradfield Yana Bostongirl Jo An Fox-Wright Maddox Suma Narayan Penny Walsh Shameem Anwar Irene Fassler Sandy Peckinpah Trista Signe Ainsworth Slow train Ashley Nicole B.R. Shenoy Carolyn Hastings Christina Christine Vann, MSc. Ellie Jacobson Isabel Young Kaz Rochford Nia Simone McLeod Nicole Hilbig Patricia Wright Pam Winter Jodian Marie Thomas, MS, Bsc, Asc L Burton Danielle Hestand Sahil Patel Malky McEwan Barbara Cook Tyra Jaide Eko BP Drashti Shroff Evergreen Eden Bernie Pullen Rhea Anglesey CARMEN F MICSA Robin Oakman Mary Vraa Libby Shively McAvoy Kristina God Niall Leah Debbra Lupien, Voice of the Akashic Records Toya Qualls-Barnette Vashni Stories Dawn :) Divya Goswami BichoDoMato Evon Carole Olsen Sharon Sayler, Author Jennifer Dunne Kylie van Gelder Neha Sonney, Author Christina Sponias Ian Hanson JF Danskin Patrick OConnell Mary V Elvie Lins❤️ Carmellita Gauri Sirur Kristie Leong M.D. IJaveria Ansari Asim Nori Dipo Adebayo Andreia Damian Jenine Bsharah Baines Jodi Marie Mahein Kazi Mario López-Goicoechea Raine Lore Vishal Mehta Aarti Tailor A Rustic Mind (Manali Desai) Mona S Gable Anne Emerick Andra Forbes Anaya Nosso Kasturi Patra Mary B Mel Janecka Rebecca Romanelli Life not abrupt (L.n.a.) Rebecka Rose Hollie Petit, Ph.D. Michael Mallen Gauri Sirur Raine Lore Penny Walsh CARMEN F MICSA, MA in English, podcaster Mary V Marilyn Flower Srini James Beaufait Joe Merkle Rupa Mahanti Binky Ink Writing Trisha Faye John Antony Mario López-Goicoechea Sherry Atkinson Seda Anbarcı Ella de Jong Katherine Myrestad HAPPINESS + WEALTH ⭐ Nathan Chen Zeenat Merchant Syal, M.A, M.Sc Ben Ulansey Brandon Kam Victoria Kjos J Oliver Dempsey Binky Ink Writing Karen Schwartz AJ Carrie Kolar TzeLin Sam Sally Prag Jenine “Jeni” Baines Vera-Marie Landi Alan (AJ) Autistic Widower Rebecca A Emrich Grace Delphia Simply Sophia Sheri Jacobs Ella de Jong Tamara Embrey Trisha Faye Carolina Smith Janet Meisel Elena dL Daniel Ng JonesPJ Nathan Chen Amir Bibi Rick Allen Helen Gilmore Marcus aka Gregory Maidman OCTAVIA EVER AFTER Qaiser Khan Benighted Sharon Johnson Julie KingGood Nina Sklansky Debbie Soderberg Kirchner Jolka Maria Rattray Shereen Bingham Kyle Wells Cristina Cattai Charisse Tyson Sam Letterwood Sara Fellers Mehak Adlakha Lisa Precious / Smiley Blue Kumar Devesh Chantal Christie Weiss Hisho Sam David Parker🌸