Trust the Process!

Do you get tired of hearing people saying,

“Trust the process.” Or, “God won’t give you more than you can handle.” Or, “This too shall pass” (to which I always want to add, like an bad bowel movement!!!

But the fact of the matter is that you wouldn’t be where you are right now doing what you are doing right now with the resources you have right now had you not gone through the process of getting what you needed and learning to do what you’re doing and reside where you doing your life.

I know, I know, it seems all so…pontifical! (Now follow THIS LINK to get the meaning – go on!) And depending on who says it and when they say it and how they say it, it can be very pretentious, I agree. And I’ve had people do it. Heck! I’ve done it myself when I was feeling helpless and felt I needed to say something!

Like Forrest Gump said, “Mama always said life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.” It’s true. You really have no idea what’s around the next corner. To which I say, Thank God!!!

For me I know beyond any shadow of doubt that I would not be here right now, doing anything for that matter, had I not gone through the series of what seemed at the times like disasters, but were actually lessons and steps (means to an end).

I realized this morning that this is the fourth summer that I have been single…actually I said out loud at the time “free”. And I was actually excited about that. But four summers ago as I began the journey of leaving an abusive, broken relationship I WAS NOT excited. I was terrified. I was devastated. I was spinning! I felt like my world was ending. I felt hopeless about any type of future. I felt like I was not just losing the love of my life, but losing my entire life. I’m sure you’ve had that same feeling, and probably more than once.

After that process started I found a place. A lovely little suite in a nearby town. I settled in, albeit in the deepest grief I’ve ever known. Then came the step of financial stress of starting over. Then came the next step of legal separation and then divorce. Then came the step of finding new contracts to support myself. Then came the step of going through my first dark (in more ways than one on the wet coast) winter. Then came the first time I would travel abroad alone. Then came the first Christmas. Then came the next step of my grief an emotional break. Then came the next step, loss of income due to lack of work. Then came the next step of finding a new contract. Then my second big vacation. Then winter again. Then a complete failure of my health from all the stress. Then recovery. Then the best work I’ve ever done. Then a hint of direction for my life again. Then financial disaster. Then recovery.

I’m sure I missed a ton of events, steps and lessons. But you get the picture. Not to hear, “Awwww, poor James!” If you do that to my face I might just laugh at you. Why? Because I know that this whole process has brought me to this moment. Have I always trusted the process? Certainly not! Have I always had faith? Well in some fashion, probably yes, or I wouldn’t be here…yet. Have I fought the process? Yes, at times. Have I liked the process? What are you crazy? No! Am I grateful for the process? Y.E.S.

MY TRUTH: Trust the process. It has been a constant theme in my life these last four years; beginning with the word I had saying that my life would look completely different in 3 – 5 years. That was four years ago last month. And boy, does it ever!!! I hope I am learning to trust the process easier. I hope that I am learning to be gracious and kind to myself when the tough times hit. I KNOW without a doubt, I have grown. Thank you to the Universe for conspiring to help me achieve it. (The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho)


Trust the Process!