subtle unfoldings

a photograph of beautiful rose petals that I captured from Tsaghkadzor in Northern Yerevan, Armenia

If you’re going to commit your efforts to anything, it could be a good idea to focus on something that already works. To people who already love you, to promising things, and to places that make you feel more alive. You may have to stop trying to fit in places where you no longer belong. You may have to abandon your efforts to become someone who is more widely accepted by the public but more foreign to your own heart. Life communicates with us in the most subtle and minute ways. In the little clicks, delightful coincidences, and unexpected unfoldings of the most routine things. These signals are striving to direct us down the many pathways that have been structured for us. Perhaps you should learn to believe what passes you by before you can trust what settles seamlessly in front of you. Perhaps you should trust what isn’t working because it will ultimately try to point you in the direction of what will. On the other side, your life awaits you. Presumably, my most recent posts have all been on hope and perseverance. God bless you. It is an honor to have your time and attention on the themes. : )

“Roses and thorns are parts of the same plant. Somehow though, some people are concerned mainly about the roses. The rose is not on the plant for more than a week, but the thorns are there forever. Roses are teaching that the beauty of life will bloom, once you have taught yourself the lessons given by living with the thorns.”

― Grigoris Deoudis

lamp of hope

Life is, to put it mildly, uncertain. It is a beautiful and one-of-a-kind gift to everyone of us. We don’t give ourselves enough credit for enduring adversity and conquering challenging situations. Even at the worst of circumstances, given enough time to heal and think, there is always a lesson to be learned. Don’t get me wrong: life may be thoroughly seem to be harsh and unjust at times, and there may be moments when you can’t find any rationale atl all for what you’re going through. But hang on, you’re doing well. That’s where you have let go and trust on the divine will. Everything that happens to you and those around you has a reason and a purpose, which we would comprehend only after a certain phase. Keep the light of hope blazing.

Hope can be a powerful force. Maybe there’s no actual magic in it, but when you know what you hope for most and hold it like a light within you, you can make things happen, almost like magic.

― Laini Taylor, Daughter of Smoke & Bone

hopeful fortitude

I often discuss with Netta on coping with uncertainity. We are meticulous planners by nature and often it requires robust emotional strength to cope up with the smallest uncertainity in life. In most contexts, uncertainty is often related with vulnerability. After all, we all want to feel in charge of our lives, whether it’s our employment, education, friendships, or relationships. The sensation of being “out of control” is unsettling, and we are all guilty of avoiding this vulnerable zone whenever possible. However, by doing so, we are eventually restricting our potential to improve in these areas of our life that need commitment. It is often in these moments of dread and uncertainty that we learn how strong we can be and how much inner strength we really possess. After all, personal progress flourishes where distress flows. That’s what I’ve learned with experiences throughtout my life. Often strong rooted faith and trust in the divine will of Almighty can be a good solace, often in times when we are going through tough times. You may not notice it today or tomorrow, but in a few years you will be completely mystified and astonished by how everything lined together to bring you somewhere beautiful – or where you’ve always wanted to be. You will be relieved that things did not turn out the way you had hoped. Never lose hope. Everything is manageable as long as you have hope. In reality, this inside fire of patience, trust, perseverance, faith and hope is alluded to as the real inner strength.

“Hopeful Fortitude” | Original Fine Art from The Border of a Mind studios.