Everyone we meet offers us the divine opportunity to see ourselves with a little more clarity
I used to throw the word “hate” around freely, as in: “I seriously hate that person.” And yes, I’d say it half-joking. I mean, I didn’t really hate that person. Did I? But yes, a piece of me was as serious as a heart attack. Thoughts and feelings of hatred — as harsh as they seemed — were natural to me.
In a sense, hate was a part of me. Did I hate the way they looked — or the way they looked at me? Was it them I hated — or was it me? 
It was me.
A deep-seated sense of helpless frustration held me hostage with hatred. My mom had cancer; I felt pissed. My brother had schizophrenia; I felt trapped. I could fix neither of these situations. .My brother had schizophrenia; I felt trapped. I could fix neither of these situations.
And so, I hated.
I hated that I felt helpless.
I hated that I felt out of control.
And, in turn,
I hated others.
I hated others.
Life kept holding a mirror before my face, inviting me to see myself more clearly — both the parts I needed to change and the pieces I needed to set free. But, I stayed blind, busying myself so I wouldn’t have to pay attention.
The last thing I wanted to face was the dissatisfaction, the sadness, the helplessness reflected back at me. Oh my! How the people I met along the way revealed the worst parts of them — ahem, I mean — me.
Finally, as I began to open my eyes to the gifts I needed to embrace, my soul’s beautiful, true colors emerged. A friend introduced me to Transcendental Meditation, a process through which I learned to see the divine threads that weave together:
you,
me;
us,
them;
the birds,
the trees;
every living thing.
As I awakened to the wellspring of abundant love within and around me, the hate and hostility that had plagued me for so long began to die off. I can’t remember the last time I used the word “hate.”
I no longer hate.
Deeply and honestly,
fearlessly,
I love.
In the off chance that I stumble across someone who strikes a nerve inside of me, I no longer think, “What a loser.” Instead, I turn inward ask myself, “What can I learn from the soul who stands before me?”
I seek the gift. I listen for the lesson. I look to grow. And always, I send that person love. I offer up a prayer that they too might soon see the stroke of the divine that underlies all things.
In a world that can seem fraught with darkness, it takes courage to see our own light. I am here to help. Allow me to hold the mirror for you. See that. That beautiful reflection is you — your soul. Let it shine on with love.
— Valerie Gangas
“I want what this girl has“ – these were Oprah’s words after Valerie Gangas spoke about the revolutionary effects Transcendental Meditation had in her life. A thirteen year sleeping disorder and deep depression after her mother’s death, followed by a fateful encounter with a friend, spawned her initial foray into Transcendental Meditation. Valerie says about herself: “Meditator. Consciousness Hunter. Dream Weaver. Speaker. Author. Life Coach. Spiritual Rebel. Humanitarian. Truth Seeker. Blogger. Travel Junkie. Sleep Enthusiast. Food Lover.” She presently calls Chicago her home, but you can find her crossing the globe.
This post was first published on Rebelle Society, an online hub reporting ideas and acts of creative rebellion and celebrating the Art of Being Alive.
