Love the Light That Brings A Smile
A Story About Intuition, Giving, and the Paths We Never Expect
“And love the light that brings a smile
Across your face…”
- Sarah McLachlan, “Hold On”
Today’s my late-grandma’s birthday.
It’s also the eight-year anniversary of the start of my ascension journey.
It’s hard to believe it’s been almost a decade since my life irrevocably changed and I began a journey that would completely alter the course of my life...
And myself.
The past 15+ years haven’t been easy. Surviving illness—a few times at that—and fighting my way through Dark Nights and crises of faith and then moving through spiritual awakening after spiritual awakening only to face the deepest parts of myself in the throes of ascension, well...
Let’s just say the human spirit is nothing if not resilient, and I’m annoyingly, boundlessly optimistic even when I want to be anything else.
But, here in this moment of reflection, I can share my truth: this journey has been the greatest gift of my life.
I couldn’t always say that. I didn’t always want to say that. When you’re in the thick of it, man... It’s hard to see the forest for the trees. But the way to the other side is through, and through endless acts of surrender, I began to learn what true and unconditional love really means. Not in the self-help, performative kind of way, but in deep and sacred connection to the inner chambers of the heart.
In the recognition of the soul.
In the homecoming to oneself.
So why the backpacks in the picture?
I intended to spend the day in my pajamas watching sappy, romantic Christmas movies, journaling, and reflecting on the day, but as soon as I woke up, I heard Spirit urging me to go to the Goodwill.
Weird, I mused. But OK.
When my intuition is strong like this, I know to get out of my own way and follow—that there’s always a reason for it, even if I can’t see all the threads just yet.
Surrender. Trust. Take that divine action.
(Yeah, I’ve learned a thing or two along this path…)
I found these backpacks—brand new, clean, tags still on.
I left them. I drove home.
What was I going to do with them, anyway?
(Clearly I haven’t learned enough to follow that divine action all the way through…)
The Universe rolled its eyes and pinged me with an idea. I drove back, picked up a few of the backpacks, and found brand-new squishmellows, a brand-new infant toy, and some other goodies in the process.
This time, I didn’t hesitate.
Giving has always been important to me—philanthropy is one of my core values—but I wasn’t always in a position to be of service. That’s also what this journey gave me—new outlets and resources and opportunities to share more of my heart and soul. And while I’m not living the full extent of my personal dreams, I’m happy, I’m fulfilled, and I’m blessed with opportunities to be there for others.
My grandmother was one of the most giving people I’d ever known, and she taught me from an early age how to be generous of spirit. I feel like she was with me today, reminding me that when you go where you’re guided, magic is possible.
I’m filling these backpacks with treats and goodies and reaching out to my teacher friend to find out who could use a little bit more joy this season. And in the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing my annual Community Connections post with ideas for how you can offer similar support in your local communities.
To quote my favorite musical, Hadestown: “If no one takes too much, there will always be enough. She will always fill our cup.”
With love,
Susan
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Available at www.montourscity.com and www.susandawnspiritual.com