Saturday, June 1, 2013

When You Think You've Reached Your Waterloo ... Think Again


"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."  ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

When my beloved husband began his decade-long final jourrney, it became my mission to help him experience a more conscious, loving and spiritual death.  After years of trying by myself to guide us through this soul-wrenching time, I felt emotionally drained and physically exhausted. 

I had no idea I was also on the brink of a personal transformation that would change my life forever--and lead to the unveiling in this column.

For months, I had beaten myself up because I felt guilty that I couldn't achieve my goal for my husband through sheer will power.  Finally, in desperation I called my friend and mentor, Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, the world expert on death and dying.  After hearing me out, she told me, "Follow your heart, Fern, your heart knows the way."

That simple but profound advice gave me renewed strength and set me on an unquenchable quest to have a personal relationship with God - My Higher Wisdom Self - or know the reason why not.  The ensuing guidance and support I received allowed me to help ease my husband's transition in a way we both desired.  But there was more to come. 

As a new widow, I had thought the personal relationship I developed with God during those difficult years would end when the need to help my husband no longer existed.  I had done it all for him.  But shortly after his demise, something unexpected happened during my daily journaling.

I received God's call to become a Spiritual Warrior of the Heart.

At first I didn't even know what that meant, and I certainly didn't think I was worthy of such an invitation.  I actually suggested someone else I thought would be a better choice.  Fortunately my Higher Wisdom Self knew the real essence of me, and that this connection is the true heart and soul desire of every human being.

Believe me, as a senior citizen it was beyond my dearest dreams and desires to be faced with such a choice.  However, despite some initial concerns and misgivings, there was no way I was going to turn down this incredible spiritual adventure.

That was almost eleven years ago, and I'm grateful I was able to heal and grow through unresolved issues to the point that I could take another really big step ... completing and releasing this book that chronicles every stage of my heartfelt journey.

The name of the book is "Becoming a Spiritual Warrior of the Heart."   And because the world needs many Spiritual Warriors of the Heart right now, I purposely and honestly wrote about my weaknesses and failures as well as my successes.  I learned that at the exact moment our ego tempts us to become disheartened and quit, that is where mastery over our negative self-talk begins.  Victory awaits those who choose self-mastery.

This book is the "trail" I willingly share in the hope of helping others choose this path for their life's purpose.  Travel well, my friends.

"Becoming a Spiritual Warrior of the Heart," is available on Amazon.com, on other online sites, at bookstores such as Barnes & Noble, and will soon be available on Kindle.

I never give up and I never give in.  I will keep trying everything until I move forward.  The path of mastery starts when I want to give up.
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Copyright 2013 by Fern Stewart Welch

The author's books: "Becoming a Spiritual Warrior of the Heart;" "Tea with Elisabeth," recipient of the 2010 Silver Award for Non-fiction; "You Can Live a Balanced Life In An Unbalanced World," and "The Heart Knows the way--How to Follow Your Heart to a Conscious Connection with the Divine Spirit Within," are available at Amazon.com and other online booksellers, as well as bookstore chains.