“No Mud, No Lotus”.  In this quote by Thich Nhat Hanh, we are reminded that we cannot have good without bad, happiness without sadness or dark without light.   Mud symbolizes strife, unhappy events, challenges and messy situations.  The lotus flower, stands for beauty, reward, purity and the ability to thrive.

 

It can happen to anyone.  Your marriage falls apart, you get fired from your job, you have an unexpected health challenge or someone you love, passes away.  These are just a few examples of the “mud” that shows up in our lives. 

Many times in my life, I have found myself in the “mud”.   As I look back over those experiences, I realize that a lot of good evolved out of those distressing experiences.  If anyone had tried to tell me, that one day I would see the blessings where I currently only saw grief and pain, I would not have believed them. 

As I write this article, I am experiencing another “muddy” time in my life.  Knowing it will all work out in the end, makes it easier for me to stay calm, but I do still experience times of discouragement.  I think it is important not to rush through the uncomfortable feelings that come up.  I believe we have to fully experience them so we can let them go when the time is right.

Perhaps your marriage, is the “mud” in your life.  Are you unable to move either deeper into the relationship or out of it all together?   Are you feeling stuck?   Is your marriage a bipolar-like dance with just enough “highs” to keep you hanging around in the hopes that the “lows” will disappear altogether?  How long have you been mired in that pattern?  Are there any real signs of it changing or is fear of the unknown keeping you in the relationship?  I assure you, nothing will really change until you change.  What change do you know you need to make?

The lotus flower grows on a stalk that hold it high above the mud.  Even though it grows out of mud, the flowers are pure and beautiful.  Think of the mud as the drama you are being pulled to participate in.  If you join in that drama, you feel stuck, stressed, and confused.  You are covered in “mud”.   If you set firm boundaries and refuse to be dragged into the “mud” of drama, you will rise above the situation where you can feel more clarity and peace. It's your choice. 

Blessings to you,

Linda