The purpose for the human experience is to learn, on an experiential level, about all facets of love so that we can come to the realization that we ARE love.

This requires contrast. For example, we can understand the difference between hot and cold, conceptually, but to truly understand that difference, we have to have the experiential component by dipping a finger in a glass of hot water and a glass of cold water. Take organic chemistry. To thoroughly grasp the subject, you not only have to take the classroom course, you also have to take the lab.

That said, to understand the facet of love known as forgiveness, we might have to experience betrayal. To understand the facet of love known as abundance, we might have to experience loss. Of course this contrast is often the root of human suffering, but there’s a way to mitigate the pain. Start by finding the value in that hardship. They’re always rich in teachable moments.

In my case, my sisters and I suffered a great deal of emotional and physical abuse at the hands of our parents from the age of 8 on, so much so that bones were broken and terror forced us to hide behind furniture when we heard the garage door opening. Eventually, some of us escaped and were homeless, surviving by picking the food off of the plates of clientele in restaurants who had just left the table. “Value in that? How could that be?” you might ask. But through that difficult past, I learned to become more assertive, compassionate and nurturing. It made me a better mother, and because of that, I wouldn’t trade that past for the world.

So when you find the value, express gratitude for it, embrace it, and then let it go. Gratitude and surrender are the best weapons against misery.

In summary, the purpose of life is to remember that we are love by traveling a path filled with potholes and detours, and to survive that worthwhile journey through reflection, gratitude and surrender.

***

~Elisa Medhus MD a physician and mother of five, has practiced internal medicine in Houston, Texas for over thirty years.

After the death of her 20 year-old son, Erik, Dr. Medhus began journaling her grief on her blog, Channeling Erik. She knew that only in helping others could she heal herself. Because of her strong science background, she formerly viewed spiritual matters such as the soul’s survival of death with skepticism, but once Erik began to communicate with family, friends and blog members, her entire paradigm shifted. After devouring various books on the quantum physics explaining the science behind spirituality, Dr. Medhus is no longer a skeptic. Now, she channels Erik through a medium, asking him questions about death, the afterlife and so much more. As her blog members join her in this journey toward spiritual understanding, Erik continues to offer not only his insight as an insider on the other side, but also adds some comic relief with his mischievous pranks. She shares her journey in her book, My Son and the Afterlife: Conversations from the Other Side. Erik has authored his own book, My Life After Death: A Memoir from Heaven.

In addition to her two books about Erik, Dr. Medhus is also the author of three award- winning parenting books: Raising Children Who Think for Themselves, Hearing is Believing: How Words Can Make or Break Our Kids, and Raising Everyday Heroes.
www.ChannelingErik.com

Copyright © 2018 Excellence Reporter