Your Path of Totality

Spring has sprung and here we are in the 2nd month of the 2nd quarter of 2024. I am trusting that wherever you are the signals of new beginnings are within your sight.

The most recent solar eclipse that took place on April 8 was also my birthday! I was wondering why the entire country was celebrating and then I remembered, oh, it’s the solar eclipse! 😊

The Great North American Eclipse did not travel my way, but I watched it on television as it entered the U.S. in Texas and made its way east. I noted the difference in how folx showed up from venue to venue. Some groups were loud as they cheered the arrival of the eclipse. Others were quiet and contemplative, honoring the perfect timing and grace of the sun and moon in their dance of light and dark that was shared with us teeny tiny humans here on planet earth.

And the animals. Watching how they moved as darkness approached. Confused by the sudden twilight which signaled a time for some to go inside for sleep, and for others to venture outside for activity. It’s amazing how we are shaped by the rise and fall of daylight and the entrance and exit of nighttime.

But what intrigued me the most about the eclipse was the language used to describe its journey—the path of totality. For 3-4 minutes, for those in their path, the complete blocking of the face of the sun by the moon generated total darkness. This language made me wonder what path or paths of totality I may have taken in my life.

A path of totality represents full commitment. A path where your certainty outweighs any thought of missing the mark or falling short. Totality represents the whole of something so I imagined what have I ever done that represented the whole of me. My entire being.

Do I love totally without reservation, all the time?  

Do I forgive willingly, when faced with both small and large transgressions?

Do I care for myself undeterred by the little distractions of life?

Do I listen to hear, fully and completely?

Do I complete my work products and projects with my full effort of time and creativity or do I fall short when I’m less than interested in its outcome?

How do I define my path of totality?

Part of that challenge is that my path isn’t of a short duration. It lasts far longer than 3–4 minutes… and is that an honorable excuse for a lack of commitment? I say, no.

The life we desire for ourselves does require a clear path of totality that becomes evidence of how we must proceed as we manifest the elements of our life that mean something to us. We must not become discouraged nor weary on our path. The magical alignment of the Sun and the Moon is the same magical alignment of our wants, needs and desires. It happens when we commit, when we are resolute, when we are courageous—body, mind and soul.

I recently asked a dear friend about her path of totality. She’s been dealing with some recent health challenges that have limited her mobility and impacted her energy. After reflecting on my question, her honest response was, “My totality needs attention and each day I am improving.” I love that.

Cheers to Spring renewal and our path of totality! What’s on your path?