There are times in our lives where it seems almost hopeless. The Light does not seem to go on in our darkened state. What to do? What do we do when nothing seems to work in our favor? I may not have been in your situation but can count numerous times where I had no other choice but to fall to my knees and weep.

I know, sounds rather weak of me to just kneel down and cry my eyes out, but is it? Is it better to lash out in anger, screaming at those around us…blaming them for our misfortunes? or is it better to humble ourselves before the Universe, asking for help?

Smiling, as this answer is pretty clear to me. It is now, but was not always clear.

Recently a friend called to unload a mountain of hardships, feeling trapped and nothing could be done about the current situation. As I listened, I am reminded of a time when all I could do is let go, crying out to the Heavens “Please help me!”

I have always been the adventurous sort and usually the one person who enters an impossible situation with hopes of turning out miraculous. While it doesn’t seem miraculous in the beginning, it assuredly turns out that way as soon as I let go of expected outcomes…rejoicing in the many amazing turns before my destination.

One time in particular, I was driving in the backwoods of Northern Wisconsin, deciding to take a leisurely ride with my son. Ten miles into the woods may not necessarily be a leisurely stroll for most, but for me that was normal…only this time it was a first for my son.

I could feel his excitement quickly turning into fear, as he had never been that far back into the woods. With no other tracks in sight, it did not help the cause as He quickly began voicing his fears.

Assuring him all will be ok…it quickly went south.

We came to an instant halt after trucking through a mud trail, as the trail began kissing the bottom of my truck. From kissing to clinging, it was now as high as the floorboards of our Chevy Silverado. Like a rock it sank deeper into the mud. Maybe I should have changed the tires to off-roads?

Now stuck, I began rocking the truck back forth to no avail. Hmmm…what to do? I could try putting rocks under the tires, logs in the path of the tires…to which nothing produced results. Maybe now would have been a good time for a winch? Yep!

Now, at this time, the anger within me began to surface. Getting short with my son, when his inquisitive mind began asking “how the heck are we going to get out?!”

I collapsed. Right then and there, I fell to me knees crying out “Please Help us.” With no other options, I let go and called out to higher powers to assist in our recovery. This was that moment. That moment when impossible turned quickly into miraculous.

Not more than three minutes crying out, we both heard a loud crashing noise. A noise as if the trees were being parted and thunder was rolling straight down the path we came. Well it wasn’t necessarily thunder, but a Ford F-150 with off-road tires.

Glad to see someone, knowing that we would not have to walk out of the woods (would not be the first time I had to walk out of the woods). Sharing cordial greetings and harassment from a Ford driver. There is an unwritten rival between Chevy and Ford drivers, one that I could never understand. Nevertheless, I had to listen to this kind soul harass me about driving the wrong vehicle “if you were driving a Ford, you wouldn’t be in this mess!”

Grateful for the angels that heard my cry, sending me into laughter as an earth angel driving a rival vehicle shows up to assist.

Looking back at this moment, I realize that there was a common thread to my getting unstuck in a sticky situation. When nothing else worked to my advantage, I let go…crying out for assistance from the highest power.

Have you ever been in a sticky situation, where nothing seemed it would turn out for the better? Have you ever felt stuck? Maybe it is time to get on your knees and ask for help…I shared this with my friend. Maybe this is where he will go or maybe he will choose to “fight on.” Whatever the course…he will find his way in this magical place within the Canvas of Life.

Stepping into the Canvas when nothing goes our way…we let go, let it pass…we allow a miracle to unfold. It is in letting go of specific outcomes they appear in the strangest of circumstances. Humbling, it may be…but victorious it shall be…let go, cry out…ask and it shall be given unto thee…

Years ago, shortly after taking a step onto a brighter path, dormant forces came alive. Not to conspire with me, but challenge my strength as to how bad I wanted to know the Way. Everything, I mean everything, that could…did go wrong. I nearly lost my house, nearly said goodbye to everything and everyone. But something or someone, a little voice inside, said “keep going…you are almost there.”

But it hurts too much…I can’t! “What will hurt more…staying in your current state or getting passed this illusion of pain?” The answer was pretty clear, as I knew the past pain would far outweigh future pain of traveling down this road of faith. “Atta-boy…keep going.”

It was about this time we began purging our things. My wife, my greatest cheerleader (although there were times of great fear with her own self, not knowing if I was going to leave her in search of this said happiness), encouraged the great purge. We began simplifying our lifestyle, letting go of stuff weighing us down.

Feeling lighter, more joyous, more challenges came before me. Smiling, knowing that this time was different and nothing, I mean nothing was going to come between me and the open road to paradise. Was this me, ego or something else thinking inside my head? Wasn’t sure at the time, but it did sound good…so I stuck to the plan.

Something was different. Each challenge before me became a lesson of understanding. It was strange. I began to see two sides to every story, but this time choosing which path to take. Again, I didn’t always choose the correct path, but quickly shifted sails to catch the right winds.

It is now ten years later…Still learning and growing….there is a sense of knowing. Knowing that all things created in the constructs of my own mind. Misery and joy, both reside in my mind. It was all a bloody head game and I was a sore loser! Smiling…not this time. This time I choose peace and joy and all things leading to my desired destination of happiness.

They say the journey is the destination, I now understand. It is through pitfalls and peaks of life that can ultimately bring us down or build us up. Regardless of the climb or the fall, with ability to fall flat on our face or soar with the Eagles each and every time. But how does one soar with the Eagle every time? Get out of the mind and into the heart.

Entering this heart, a different tune plays. One with sweeter melody and harmonious pitch. What is this tune I hear? “It is my song, waiting to play my entire life.” Does everyone have this song? “Yes. They need do nothing to hear it, allowing it to come forward.” Wait a minute?! I thought we aught to do nothing?! Now you are telling me we must?! “There you go again, with the ego-mind trying to figure things out. Entering the heart, we come to a place of knowing and allowing.”

Ok, that was strange…now I am having a conversation with Spirit and writing about it. Let me simplify this…keep the course, clear your plate of anything upsetting the stomach…palatable or not…if it causes distress, it will cause pain. Let it all go, keep the course, seek the answers and trust the answers are on their way. Question the process and we inadvertently end back in the monkey-mind rat-race of our daily life. Trust the process and we shall ultimately arrive.

The time is now to let go of everything we have been told. The time is now to trust our inner guidance as to where we are going. Truth is…we have no clue as to where we are going…but at least the journey will be more enjoyable. I bid you peace, I bid you strength…for we shall walk together…finding our way home.

Stepping into the Canvas with a new mindset, one that lives within the heart. With our heart leading the way, we shall forevermore remain in Peace, Love and Happiness. Allowing Peace and Love to shine forth, the path before us shall assuredly Lead us home.