This morning, I woke up and took my usual walk (with 4,7,8 breathing meditation) to the end of the road and back. The moon was still glowing high in the sky, flocks of starlings flew to and fro, and the sun had not yet risen. It was 7 a.m. and I saw a shooting star travel down and away from the moon towards the horizon. I must admit that I stopped in my tracks (as did my breathing meditation). I’m not sure if I’ve ever seen a shooting star near dawn…at least that I can remember. I am unsure if this is a sign or omen of some kind (I’m not superstitious in the traditional sense, but perhaps in the Jungian sense), although I am prone to lean into synchronicities, and odd occurrences such as this (during periods of tremendous change) tend to make me pay more attention if nothing else.
On Monday night, I found out that I passed my comprehensive exam. I have officially completed my master’s degree from Villanova University, and I will be graduating with honors at the end of December. After waiting for eight months to take the exam, a tremendous weight has been lifted and I am so relieved to have finished successfully (all about finishing paaa). Passing this exam opens many doors, but also brings about an automatic promotion in my current role. In tandem with these two changes, I am also being handed a corporate real estate “snowball” of sorts that I need only to roll downhill successfully. That being said, I am unsure if I am going to pursue a PhD while I work, or run with my current role and eventually transition to solely corporate real estate.
The recent positive changes that are afoot, and the open doors and opportunities that are in front of me, are humbling. I feel an increased level of responsibility, but mostly I am extremely grateful. The road to this point in my life was treacherous at times, and I almost did not make it through this past year (to be fully transparent). I am so happy that I persisted, and I was so lucky to have had the love and support that I received when I was at my worst. I am unsure of what the future holds and what it will look like. I speculate and plan at times (when necessary), but I do my best to return and remain in the present afterwards.
The more that I lean into the present (even when it seems tragic, unnerving, unexpected, disheartening, etc.) the more often I find myself in enjoyable “present” circumstances. Life will continue to have ups and downs, of course. But, the more that I detach from expected outcomes, lean into the present, and remain open to what the future holds, the better my life becomes. It feels as if the coming days, weeks, and months are charged with big changes, but for now, I’m going to enjoy today. I hope everyone else does the same…don’t forget to breathe ( ; ) ) deeply and enjoy the moment…because this too shall pass.
Can You Feel The Vibes? 