“You are not a drop in the ocean. You are the entire ocean in a drop.” — Rumi

For much of my life, I gnawed on the sins of the past, chewing each one over and over, as though by doing so I could uncover some lesson or shield myself from future pain. I agonized over a future shaped by stories of conflict and loss, doing everything in my power to avoid even a measure of discomfort. In this space, I shut myself off from the world.

I mastered the art of numbing. I buried unwanted feelings deep within or projected them onto others. Yet the sadness and pain only grew, accumulating like a storm waiting to break. Keeping it all contained demanded so much energy that, inevitably, it spilled into my life in ways I couldn’t predict or control.

I’ve since learned a hard truth: suppressing pain also suppresses joy. By closing myself off from one, I closed myself off from both. I became cold, detached, emotionless—a ghost in my own life.

But there must be a different way.

There are parts of ourselves we often neglect, deny, or hide—parts essential to our humanity and spirituality. These hidden aspects wait patiently for us to invite them back into the light. The journey to wholeness begins by reconnecting with three elements: mind, body, and spirit.

Have you ever held your breath underwater just a moment too long, gasping for air when you surfaced? Or choked on something, desperate for oxygen? In those moments, the body demands our attention, reminding us of the primal necessity of breath.

But how often do we notice our breath in everyday life?

Right now, take a moment to breathe deeply. Feel the air rushing in, nourishing your body, then leaving in a gentle exhale. Imagine experiencing this simple act—not just as survival—but as an expression of joy.

Now, shift your attention to your heart. Have you ever felt it cold and encrusted, where the struggles of others barely register? In that state, life feels distant, lifeless. But what happens when the heart awakens?

Feel your heartbeat. Imagine breathing into it, letting breath and heart move together. Think of a time when love warmed your chest, spreading like sunlight after a long winter. Love, given freely and received openly, is one of life’s greatest gifts.

The body, rooted in breath and heart, anchors us in the present moment. It’s where we feel the aliveness of simply being.

Have you ever been in despair, when both the present and future seemed drenched in darkness? When life felt devoid of hope, and continuing seemed impossible?

The spirit, when awakened, is like a light piercing through that darkness. It brings peace, harmony, and acceptance. It connects us to the energy behind all creation. Spirit is not a destination but a light of awareness—reminding us that even in the bleakest times, we are part of something greater.

The mind is a powerful force, yet it often becomes trapped by ego. When ego dominates, it tightens, distorts, and constricts, casting the world as hostile or isolating.

But the ego is not inherently bad—it is a tool. When used wisely, it becomes a creative servant, shaping raw existence into meaning. It can paint life as a grim shadow or a radiant masterpiece. The world remains the same; how we see it depends on the lens we choose.

Imagine freeing the ego from fear and expectation, allowing it to create with clarity and freedom. In this state, the mind becomes a partner in co-creation, making the limitless possible.

These three elements—mind, body, and spirit—are not separate forces but parts of a unified whole. Each invites us to engage with life differently: to feel with the body, shine with the spirit, and create with the mind. Together, they offer a pathway to wholeness.

Where I once fragmented myself to escape pain, I’ve now integrated these parts into harmony. This is not a journey of perfection, but of allowing, witnessing, and embodying all that I am.

As one chapter closes, another begins. The end of a journey is an invitation to start anew—with deeper awareness and fullness of being.

I invite you to explore what this means for your own life. Where do you feel joy in your breath? Warmth in your heart? Light in your spirit? And where does your ego still resist?

The journey to wholeness is not a fixed path. It is an ongoing dance of discovery—a homecoming to yourself with every breath you take.