This is a time of transformation. A time of change. Not only because of the changing seasons or because the time of year (school years end, people graduate) but because life is reaching its boiling point.

A time when you realize all the things you’ve already done that have gotten you as far as you are now, and you stand at the top of that mountain and realize that it’s time for a new mountain.

Recently I’ve been making a book of quotes for my favorite 8th grader who is super scared to go into high school. And as I’m gathering advice for her, and remembering what it was like to be on that precipice, I’m reminded of a lyric in a song that’s been on repeat lately. It goes…

“Maybe it’s time to let the old ways die…”

Transformation isn’t a word to take lightly. It’s not as flippant as the metaphorical ending one chapter so you can start the next.

No. It’s not a new chapter.

It’s a whole new book.

To transform means to make a complete change. A thorough change. It’s the caterpillar that never again looks like a caterpillar once it becomes a butterfly. A change where in order for it to occur you have to kill off everything before it.

But we don’t usually do this. Instead we try to change by bringing our old selves with us.

We try to change using the same beliefs and thoughts that got us here in the first place.

We try to change by dipping a toe in the water and then we wonder why our lives go back to the same thing we always had.

We can’t use old thoughts to create a new life. We have to let the old things die

I pulled a card from one of my oracle decks right before I wrote this and here’s what it said:

“The world is changing and to be part of its glorious unfolding, you are invited to do this deep work. Miracles are waiting for you once you set yourself free and allow your memories of your past to lead you to your truth. Transformation comes with a price. Leaving your old self behind isn’t easy, but it’s necessary to become the one you’ve been waiting for. Summon your courage. You will rise up from this mess, and only beauty and strength will remain.”

So I leave you with the questions I’ve been asking myself lately…

• What in me needs to completely die in order for me to be who I’m meant to be?

• What pattern of thinking needs to completely transform?

• What way of being needs to be cut by the sword?

• What ways do I need to burn myself down so I can be the Phoenix and rise out of the ashes?

And I don’t mean in a small way. I mean in a big enough way that you won’t even recognize yourself. So dramatic that you’ll have to get to know yourself again. And others will too.

What needs to happen to be the person you’ve always wanted to be?

The person you’ve deep down always known you’re supposed to be before the traumas and pains of life made you someone else. Someone scared and small and full of fear.

I wanna know THAT person.

Can they come out to play?

That is up to you.

You will rise up from this mess. I promise.

Sally

P.s. This is what my next 40 day meditation challenge is ALL about. It’s all about rising from our ashes. Becoming that person we’re supposed to be. To completely transform. Bandaids aren’t working anymore. It’s time for a total renewal. I’m in the cocoon with you. Ready to fly and transform. I’ll be talking more about this meditation in the coming weeks but just know that there is something you can do to work through this and you don’t have to do it alone.

P.p.s. If you want to listen to that song Google “Maybe It’s time” from the Star Is Born Soundtrack

P.p.p.s. If you want to take this one step further right now, journal out the questions above. And answer them with your opposite hand you usually write with. Let the answers come to you.