Expansion vs. contraction. . . .

As we evolve, we go through periods of contraction and expansion.  Most of us embrace periods of expansion and resist periods of contraction.  Both expansion and contraction are equally important as we walk the steps of our path.  Contraction is the period in which we go within.  Instead of focusing outward, our focus is on the inner journey.  During periods of contraction, relationships end, our social circle gets smaller, we find ourselves needing a lot of alone time and we get easily agitated by the drama of others.  The period of contraction is also synonymous with the caterpillar going into the cocoon.  Inside the cocoon, we are forced to look at those areas of our lives that have remained in the dark.  By bringing focus, awareness and clarity to the dark places; we can begin to fill these places with light and love.  Periods of contraction can happen at any time in life.  They may follow the end of a career, the death of a loved one, come before/after a significant illness, come after a divorce or the end of a long-term relationship or they may be pre-destined as part of the steps in your soul's evolution.  While being in the space of contraction, we may have feelings of sorrow, loss, grief, anger, trauma, despondency and emptiness.  The expression, "It's always darkest before the dawn." is significant in telling us that our place in the realm of contraction is almost over.  This indicator, usually brought on by feelings of being tired, fed-up or disgusted with the contraction phase, is a sign from Spirit that your work in this space is almost complete.  When the contraction phase is over, we emerge as a beautiful butterfly or a phoenix rising from the ashes to take flight into a new phase of life.  Often times, the arrival of the expansion mode can trigger anxiety because we do not know how to go about taking our first few steps or we may forgotten how to flap our wings.  Expansion mode is about beginning anew.  We simply put one foot in front of the other and allow each moment to progress us to the next.  With our wings, we flap and flutter, flap and flutter, again and again and suddenly we take flight.  Expansion mode is the time in which we take the class we've been wanting to take, go out with the friends we haven't seen in awhile, go on a first date, embrace the new role we now have evolved into and allow ourselves to take in light, love and joy.  Expansion mode brings in a new level of awareness, authenticity and consciousness.  We feel different, but can't pinpoint exactly how we are different. Expansion mode is about embracing our new selves.   We will remain in expansion mode until the time arrives in which we must contract once again.  And as such, the cycle continues. . . .