Life is continual transition. Most of the changes are small, daily shifts toward a new reality. Others are major life-changing events.

     We all experience these major and minor transitions which help us grow, experience and learn. These are opportunities to reinvent ourselves to our choosing. We can accept change as an opportunity for growth or we can resist and fight against nature, making life more difficult and less joyous.

     I’ve experienced many of the major life transitions: childbirth, death of a parent, divorce, family illness, changing careers, empty nest and more. Each is frightening, intense and sometimes painful. I usually scream and cry and feel the pain completely. Then I start to heal and find that each calamity presents the opportunity to reach inside myself and find new strength — and to recreate Who I Am.

     This beautiful issue of Evolving features articles on life’s transitions. In her column this month, Jude LaClaire offers insight into the spiral of life and how we can learn from transitions.  Ashana, in her feature article, teaches us  to take a leap and allow miracles in our lives. And, Sara Koron explores the yin and yang of nature and how it relates to mid-life changes. This is truly a glorious issue.

     I encourage you to welcome change; to stop resisting the forces of nature and allow the waves of change to help create a new, stronger, more resilient and open to love—You!

Carl Jung said, “Every form of addiction is bad, no matter whether the narcotic be alcohol or morphine or idealism.” When it comes to addictions, I don’t believe the core problem is the particular addiction (whether it be cigarettes, alcohol, sugar, shopping, gambling or any other addictive behavior); I believe the core problem is the nature of what causes a person to seek relief through an addictive substance or behavior.

     In my opinion, the drugs themselves aren't the true problem, but ill-fitted or weak solutions to a problem—an attempt to cope. If we can learn to address the issues underneath the desire we can learn new, healthy coping skills.  I’ve found that addictive behaviors become non-issues when I feel well and whole. There isn’t a need to cover up, medicate or cope with life; life itself is joy.  Whenever I detect a potentially harmful habit (and what truly is an addiction but a habit that becomes consuming, compulsive, and at times uncontrollable, with usage that persists even in the face of extremely negative consequences), I question what is my motivation with this habit? What do I get from it?  Then I find a healthy replacement.

     This month, noted author and psychic Almine shares a resourceful article on addictions and the self-abandonment involved in these life issues.  She explains how we lose our energy, and thus our power, by indulging in addictive habits. She teaches us to harness our true power to fill the void that addictions normally fill. It is a truly inspirational piece and I hope you gain a nugget of hope and knowing that we all can be whole, powerful and addiction-free.          

     So, I made of list of areas to organize. And felt overwhelmed. So instead, I committed to cleaning and organizing just one area a week while doing my regular cleaning. It feels glorious! Sometimes I tackle more than planned, but even when not, I am able to let go of the need to do more as I see progress — and the peace that comes from organized, simplified, living. 

     I always marvel at how my inner and outer realities reflect back to each other. Like the chicken and the egg, I don't know whether a peaceful inner attitude brings an organized outer self; or, if by keeping my living space clean I create peace. All I know is that it works for me... Cleanliness of home begats cleanliness of mind and feelings of peace. 

      And so, we offer this special issue on organized living with a focus on feng shui. I look at the chest I recently cleared and moved to another area of my dining room and I feel the expansion, the clarity and the plain ole cleanliness of stirring up the healthy energy in the room and creating space. 

     Luckily, how the times have changed! Today, I see thriving businesses providing vital services to the community. What a blessing that we have learned to put ourselves out there in business, claiming deserved success while nurturing and healing our neighbors. The pages of Evolving are filled each month with these brave, pioneer folks.

      This month’s theme is the holistic business model — with a special section on women in business — so we may all learn the valuable lessons of how to form a vision, take a chance and create a prosperous, mutually-beneficial future.

--Richard Bach

     Fear and Faith: two words so completely different, yet invariably connected. For me the distinction between faith and fear lies in the feelings associated with each. When filled with fear I experience a hardening of the senses, soul and reality: my shoulders tighten, I fight against my circumstance, teeth clenched. When living with faith I feel release, an acceptance of life and its outcomes. While in a fear-based reality, I dread losing control; faith requires a complete loss of control.

     When I am in the flow, I take my faith for granted. Life, love and my purpose are perfectly intertwined; my faith is a constant silent partner. I practice my faith through knowingness. I live with the knowledge that everything in my life was, is, and always will be, as it should.

     One fear emerges and more rise to fill the void. The tension builds and my worries compound to meet the demands. The more I succumb to the fear (lack of faith), the more turmoil I experience. It seems to build to an inescapable climax… and then I remember. I remember that no matter how life appears, All Is Well — then I relax. And a miracle happens. A small one, but it’s noticeable. Then another miracle occurs, and another. Even more quickly than the fears mounted, the miracles compound and I know I am loved.

     Why must I experience these dramas? I’ve learned that this pattern repeats itself. Hopefully, next time a small fear emerges I will embrace my knowingness before seeking out huge calamities to remind me of my faith.

     May this month's inspiring articles on metaphysics encourage you to affirm your faith on a daily basis.