A Phoenix is a fabulous bird associated with the worship of the sun. According to Greek mythology, this long-lived bird cyclically regenerates or otherwise is said to be born again. A Phoenix obtains new life by rising from the ashes of its predecessor. Or as some legends say, it dies in a show of flames and combustion. Wikipedia simply states, it dies and decomposes before being born again.
Not just once or twice but many times have I been called a Phoenix. And yes, I know a Phoenix is not an actual living, breathing bird on Earth, but rather a myth. Doesn’t matter to me though. I know the legend of the Phoenix and always take this label as a compliment. I feel those that have made the designation or referred to me as their “Little Phoenix,” truly see me. They know that regardless of what life throws my way, I always have and always will rise. And everyone that knows me, also knows that just like a Phoenix, I too worship the sun. So maybe their reference is intended to be as simple as that. But either way, I’ll take it!
When I am in the flow of the Universe and allowing things to come rather than restricting or forcing the energy, good things always come my way. But life happens and we can’t always live in the perfect flow we all so desire to. And when those lower points in my life happen or I’m just experiencing a bad day, a Phoenix always presents itself. Just when I think I am at my breaking point with whatever may be happening, there it is! Be it in the form of a tattoo on the shoulder of a person that walks past or somehow shown during the next commercial break, this beautiful bird shows up in my visual world. I’ve even seen it as a logo for a cement company while passing one of their trucks on the highway amid a meltdown (try to tell me that isn’t the powers’ of the Universe working for me?!) I believe the vision of a Phoenix is presented at that exact moment, each time, as a reminder. A reminder that I am stronger than whatever is attempting to weigh down my wings. And just like all the times of my past, I will overcome this struggle too. I will rise above and become a better version of myself as a result.
I don’t “die” in a flashy way, but I do “die” (we all do), but it is from this form of death that we become better than we were. We get to live each day afresh, getting a do-over, another chance to become a better version of ourselves, an opportunity to do better and be better than we were the day before. While I don’t seek out people and situations that cause me to die in my own ashes, when these people and situations do present themselves in my life, I use them to see myself differently and as an opportunity to rise above. As much as I hate to admit it, I do believe I attract these people and situations into my life (unconsciously, of course). It’s meant to happen that way! Living day-to-day in status quo mode is easy, but it’s not how we were created. We were created to evolve. We are supposed to rise and fall – that’s how we live and learn. Taking on this mindset and living my life like a Phoenix is a way I now choose to live. I love knowing that more unpleasant people and difficult situations will come into my life and the sole purpose is for me to rise and become better each time as a result. I view each as an opportunity rather than an obstacle or reason to self-destruct. Until my physical body does become ashes, I will always be on this journey. The journey of life is filled with opportunities to rise; to recreate myself after succumbing to the ashes of what was.
Real Life Talk 