Have you ever looked back at your life and given gratitude for your journey to now? Do you realize that every step of the way, you were always guarded, guided and protected even when it might not have seemed so?

I believe there is a plan to life. It is not destiny, but we are destined to travel back to the oneness from which we came. I look at this life as a giant classroom. I believe I chose the lessons I needed to learn most. I planned my adventure here. I also welcomed all the other spiritual beings that would show up along my path. I chose the ones that would teach me the greatest lessons. I believe my parents were major characters in my script. I would learn from my parents the things I most needed to overcome. For me, it was self-confidence and trust in my intelligence. Everything in my upbringing pointed to the opposite, and I took these lessons into life until I was able to stay strong in my knowing.

Do I still have times when I fall back into my old insecurities? I would be lying if I said no. However, since I have become self-conscious and aware, I know when these times occur. There was a time in life when I just reacted and had no idea that I was the center of my story. I blamed others for my state of mind and experience without any awareness. I believe that being aware of our trips and falls is a win. It means we know where we want to be. We are taking responsibility for our story.

Through practice, spiritual study, and great mentors along the way, I’ve come to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I am the Cause in my life. I’ve come to know that the more I can stay at one with First Cause or God or Source, the easier my journey is, the more powerful I am.

There is a fast and furious awakening happening right now. It is calling us to return home to our Center and live from there. It is calling us to let go of everything that seemed safe and secure that has now shown itself to be an illusion.

In the letting go, we get to create again and again from the Center of all that is. In this giant classroom called “Life,” we might be feeling that someone erased all the blackboards suddenly, leaving us with nothing. As Ernest Holmes would say, “We hold the chalk and the eraser.” If we understood that we designed co-created our own journey, we’d understand that we have the power to redesign it.

I am excited for what is now and what is ahead. I know we all have everything it takes to thrive, to assist others and to create a world from a Consciousness of Love. Let’s get the chalk out and begin writing a new story.

Love and Aloha,

Rev. Rita Andriello-Feren, Spiritual Director CSL Kaua`i, Licensed Minister and Spiritual Coach