Mel Evers wonders about it all

Each one of us has lessons we need to learn before we can be at peace. Some lessons are easier to learn than others, but that moment of realization is like a cool breeze during a hot day, up lifting and short-lived. Before we know it we are sobbing over a loss, a word, a feeling of anxiety and not knowing why the hurt cuts us so deep.
In our journey for peace we seek out those who can teach us the greatest lessons, place our minds and our hearts in their hands hoping for something spectacular. Without others we sink in our black hole, wither and die. Our lives become meaningless and empty, touching and experiencing nothing. Yet to give control to others is frightening. The result may cause us to detach. One person’s cruel treatment may cause another, more gentle soul to be overlooked and their lesson to fail because the pain is too great to overcome.
How do we get passed such a blood and fire barrier? To face the agony, barge through it would surely scar us for life. And what is on the other side? Is it worth it?
Again we place our wellbeing in the hands of the unknown teachers waiting for us to step up and swallow down the fear, offer up our hearts and minds again. Who are these teachers? These souls we count on to guide us as they count on us to guide them, learning their lessons from us, their hearts and minds placed in our hands to comfort or crush, a dance of words and emotions tripping us up or carrying us through to the next soul and message.
I’ve learned, so far, the teachings from family and friends. From overheard conversations to dreams. From personal suffering, the betrayal of my own body and then of my mind to words never acted on or jabbing words that cut so deep, forgiveness is not a feeling but an educated choice. We all go through this expedition to ultimately find peace.
Personal tranquility does not come from succeeding or overcoming these lessons, because we will always be tethered to our decisions, over thinking them, wondering if we learned everything we needed to know. True serenity comes from knowing you did your best whether the outcome was what you wished or not. That you loved and accepted and respected and gave to the best of YOUR ability and not what someone else sees as your best. That short-sightedness is their lesson to learn. Not yours.
During a lifetime there are many lessons to learn. We are all struggling to find what we need and want. Each goal is as unique as the person setting out to achieve it. Try to remember this when you feel betrayed, exiled, hated, and even loved, comforted and included. It is what is inside us, our damage and strengths, our weaknesses and our determinations that drive us.