The harsh winter here in Ontario has led me to remind both myself and everyone who I encounter to embrace whatever heat comes our way this summer because it will be a hell of a lot more enjoyable than any polar vortex. I know that not everyone experiences the extreme changes in weather that having four distinct seasons offers, however, this concept of opposites is universal – if there was no cold, how would you know heat?
This is the existence of dualities.
Without cold, why would you need heat?
This is the necessity of dualities.
Even though hot versus cold offers an example of needing one because of another, it is the dualities of the emotional human experience that have a purpose that runs much deeper. Without loss, how could there be finding? Without separation, how could there be unity? Without conflict, how could there be harmony?
Without fear, how would you ever know courage?
Without judgement, how would you ever know compassion?
Without suffering, how would you ever know ease?
The necessity of dualities is found within their purpose – to provide you with opportunity after opportunity to experience and express who you are. To be love and to give love – that is what matters most in life – that is why you are here in the first place.
The purpose of dualities is to give your life purpose.
The key to experiencing who you are (love) is expressing love through its many forms – understanding, compassion, patience, kindness, acceptance, generosity, etc. You would never have the chance to shine unless life provided you with certain challenging circumstances. Bringing you another chance to be of service to others in some way is what life is doing everyday – this is how life serves you and why dualities are necessary.
Life is supposed to be one hell of a ride. The human experience is designed to be tough. And you were meant to forget what you once knew. You are supposed to be confused about who you really are and why you are really here – and so is everyone else. Without darkness, how would you ever see your light? This world is full of duality and it is on purpose.
When the storm clouds roll in, I know it’s easy to start waving your fist around in contempt. And I know it’s tempting to give that challenging someone or something the finger, but to be aware that this is your moment to be light unto the darkness, is the consciousness that ushers in grace. Rather than wish it away, can you bless it? Can you be grateful to the universe for setting all of this up so perfectly so you can experience and express who you are?
Start to love the dualities. Without the twists and turns, the play would have no plot – there would be no way to edge the protagonist along their journey “home”.
“Let my daily actions be the answer to someone’s prayer.” – Rosita Hall, Against The Wind