Awakening

Cicada photo by M.J. Raupp

          Periodic cicadas appear in great numbers during the spring after spending 13 or 17 years underground. They crawl to a vertical surface, shed their exoskeleton and dry their new wings. Adults only live for a few weeks, during which males sing in chorus to attract females. Once mating has occurred, females cut v-shaped slits in young twigs and lay approximately 20 eggs. The cicada eggs take about 4 to 6 weeks to hatch, then the newborn nymphs drop to the ground and burrow into the soil. There they spend over a decade in darkness, feeding on tree roots as they develop and wait to emerge into the light.

          Pema Chodron wrote, "The journey of awakening happens just at the place where we can't get comfortable." Pain brings many people into recovery, but the biggest obstacle in staying there is often our own self. The ego - an identity constructed around our beliefs, opinions and personal experiences - sees its purpose as a protector from all things that don't bring us enjoyment. But the walls it erects as protection also separate us from people and different perspectives that could offer us support and a life free from addiction. Yet through honesty, open-mindedness and willingness, we can begin to knock down those walls. Where we once felt alone, we now find a common bond with others. Listening to those who have been successful in recovery, we widen our views and learn new skills. Inventories give us clarity and insight; we recognize that we are responsible for our own peace of mind. As our self-involvement is replaced by a concern for others, we discover a new purpose - holding out the light of recovery for those searching for a way out of the darkness.

For more information on service, see this post.