The eJustice Network

It's easy to start off on a mission to make your contribution to the world. The energies of enthusiasm are high, untempered by struggles to make cash flow in sufficient quantities to keep things running smoothly.

How do you keep the faith when it doesn't? When struggles hit, when is it time to duck and run for cover?

We all know the story of Vincent Van Gogh, the Dutch painter who never sold even one of his paintings during his lifetime. He was supported by periodic contributions by his brother and others, but apparently those were not enough to stop the madness from overtaking him.

The flow of inspiration rarely stops completely, even in times of struggle, but our own fears and anxieties sure do a good job of squeezing tight the door until it slows to a trickle. It's as if we're so concerned with our outer needs that the inner ones aren't allowed to come forth and be born into the world, at least to the extent they'd like.

Yet, how can we ignore our outer situations? After all, money is the lubricant we've chosen to make life go 'round. Struggling to get it and all the attendant manifestations of its lack, like taking on debt or doing without, become ever-present reminders of the conflict going on within us.

Choosing one or the other sounds like an easy task, but rarely is it. Focusing strictly upon our outer world sounds like a good idea, but simply putting the attention there is rarely enough to prime the pump and start the money flowing again.

The other course of action doesn't offer greater assurances of success, either. When jumping more deeply into the flow of inspiration leaves a trail of struggle behind, it feels more like a retreat from reality rather than glorifying the inner source we want to birth in the world.

So which way is best for you?

I'm not sure I can give you an answer, for it depends on so many things, not the least of which is which path your heart calls you to take. Even then, it won't necessarily lead you to an easier tomorrow when both are in full bloom and all your needs are met.

Finding a state of balance is something we all must do for ourselves. But that doesn't mean we have to do it alone. Prayer. Personal guidance. Even just someone to talk to can help.

Hopefully it will lead us to see more possibilities for new choices over our affairs. And if not, at least release some of the pressure to make it easier to bear.

My heat goes out all who follow their heart's desires to release their inspirations into the world, even when it takes them deeper into outer struggle. Their situations aren't easy, but like childbirth, maybe the pain will ultimately prove worth it.

Even in the darkest nights of the soul, the light of creation shines on. May it always shine on for you, and lead you out of your struggle.

I don't think God calls any of us to be another Van Gogh. Nor does He want us to abandon that flow from our source.

Maybe, just maybe, there's another path waiting out there that will serve both.

We'd like to help you find it. We pray that you do.