All good stories begin with "once upon a time ... ". Maybe such a phrase evokes sentimentality to the past, a softening of the memories that have been polished with the space of time. When does a story begin? For what we assume to be the beginning always has an origin even further back in time. As we peel back the layers seeking the start, we quickly realise that there are no true beginnings and no true endings, but just an endless ebb and flow of story telling, the inhale and exhale of living ... emerging, here, receding.
The origins of this story are steeped back in time, but I have decided that I will mark today as the day of stepping upon a new path and adventure. For the next 365 days, I will attempt to record this journey and share my wisdom as the days unfold. I anticipate that this is a journey to share the trials and tribulations, the joys and defeats of running a business, living now, being well, and flying solo. Almost 6 months ago, this little dragon entered my life. Over the years, I have learned that the universe has a wicked, and sometimes cruel, sense of humour. Sometimes we are given another opportunity to re-enact our parts with a newfound wisdom and to strive for a different outcome. The irony of this little dragon's arrival did not escape me. I have had a long history with dragons. He arrived on a day that I was about to implode and at the brink of an emotional, physical and mental breakdown. He arrived on the day that my husband and I separated. He arrived on a day that a wise old woman whispered a blessing in my ear in a tongue I did not understand. He appeared on the empty seat beside me on the train journey home, looking at me like a lost puppy. I picked him up and knew I needed to learn how to train my dragon. As I stepped off the train, with him in hand and minding the gap, I saw a heart carved into the cement of the platform. No matter how violently emotional the day had been, no matter how uncertain life seemed with important decisions still to be made, in the midst of all the turmoil and chaos, a clear thought entered my mind - "that everything was as it needed to be". In retrospect it was a moment of faith. In all of the destruction and sabotage and falling apart ... everything was perfect. For the purposes of this journey I have christened "Toothless from How to Train Your Dragon", Drago.
Flying Solo Tip 001365 : Faith is that moment when we accept that everything is as it needs to be, regardless of the destruction and chaos around us.