{Moving Through Setbacks Gracefully}

As the long days engulf us and the winter cold sends us deeper inward, it is an ideal time to reflect on the passing year. There are many things to be grateful for, and we want to take time to be thankful for each of them, but what about the experiences we find more difficult to reconcile? Those too must be understood and realized if we hope to move into the new year with as little baggage as possible.

Everyone experiences disappointment and failure at some point.

Setbacks and failures are exactly the types of experiences we must release if we desire spiritual freshness and emotional freedom in the coming year. While they are a natural  aspect of human life, they can also cause us tremendous suffering and self-doubt. No matter who we are or how competent  we are, at some point we will experience disappointments. They are proof that we are stretching our minds and increasing our abilities! Still, as we experience setbacks, the knowledge that ultimately, they promote growth, does not make them feel any less unpleasant or cause the ego any less pain.

Overcoming difficult situations is essential for growth

Let's explore some ways of prevailing over disappointment and maintaining (or regaining) self-confidence after a failure.

It is important  to remember that failure is the dark side of success, when we take chances and try new things, we don't always succeed on the first try. Working through setbacks and failures is a fundamental life skill. Additionally, mastering the art of moving through difficult experiences is required for spiritual growth. Simply put: you must.

It is helpful to remember as you work through feelings of disappointment that these two opposites, success and failure, both exist on the same axis. In fact, success can, and frequently does, come from an initial failure. Often, after a critical analysis of the situation, we can see how to improve performance or strategy for future efforts! We grow and hone our skills as a result of setbacks.

Remember, failure is never the last word on the subject unless you allow it to be. It is often part of the journey to success. It is important to take responsibility for your journey. Self acceptance and refined goals are often the hard-won result of challenging experiences.

Next, we can better serve ourselves by celebrating the effort we made, even when our goals are not achieved. Not achieving the expected outcome does not negate the work we put in, we can still be proud of our efforts. It is also valuable to acknowledge the bravery it often takes to try something new and recognize the fact that we are moving forward just by trying.

It is important not to draw global conclusions about ourselves or our abilities based on a negative experience. Experiencing a failure, does not make us failures, we choose how we process opportunities for growth.

Don't forget: successful people fail more often than others! For a little inspiration, read this article about:  50 Famous People Who Failed at Their First Attempt at Career Success

{Cutting Loose: Severing Energetic Cords}

What are energetic (etheric) cords?
Many people are not aware of the existence of energetic cords, though they have experienced positive and negative cord connections throughout their lives. Etheric cords are established between two people who are connected to one another in any number of ways; through family bonds, friendship, romantic partnerships, sexual interactions, or any other close or intense relationship. They are a way of rapidly sharing information, emotions, and other energetic communication. These invisible energy attachments can be useful and can help establish a deeper feeling of connectedness between two people. However, sometimes a relationship and its accompanying connection can become toxic, detrimental, or outdated for one (or both) parties. This is when it is time to consider severing the bond.

Positive & negative cord connections
We may choose to establish an etheric cord connection with another person for many different reason, and for various lengths of time, depending on the situation. Healthy cords dissolve on their own, but unhealthy cords can remain long after their usefulness has subsided, causing energy to be drained from connected parties. This can happen in a relationship that has ended or in one that is still relevant, but has changed structure.

When is it time to consider cutting energetic cords?
When you answer yes to any of the following questions, you may want to consider an energetic cord cutting to release you from a connection that may not be serving you any longer.

Is your bond making you feel drained?

• Are you intellectually ready to let go of a relationship, but find it hard to let go of the person?
• Are you feeling drained by the drama and crises of someone close to you? 
• Are you thinking obsessively about an individual and feeling exhausted and anxious as a result? 
• Do you feel extremely negative emotions when you think of a particular person, are you reliving a traumatic event you experienced with them? 

The above are just some of the situations that might indicate that a cord removal will be spiritually and emotionally beneficial to you.

Making the cut: severing ties that bind
The process of cord removal involves three elements: first you cut, sever, or unplug the cord, next, the severed cord must taken care of, and finally, the attachment point must be cleansed and/or healed. A Reiki practitioner is particularly helpful in guiding you through the removal, while providing a safe container for you while to sever the bond. After removal, the cord can be tied like a umbilical cord, or sent peacefully back to the other party. In addition, it is extremely beneficial to have a Reiki practitioner with you to help you heal the point where the cord was attached to you after the etheric cord has been cut.

After you have cut the cord 
After this process, you may feel any number of emotions, positive and negative. You may feel a tremendous sense of lightness and relief. You may feel a strong sense of clarity or a deep calm. You may have sudden inexplicable mania. The immediate effects can also be more melancholy. If the bond has been exhausting and draining, you may feel a surge of deep sorrow and regret as the energy disconnects. Separation can be painful as well as liberating. Because this experience can be harrowing, it is helpful to have an energy worker guiding you through the process.

Remember that severing etheric cords does not always signify the end of a relationship, it is simply a way of clearing the dysfunctional energy from the relationship and allowing for a healthier link to be established. On the other hand, cutting an energetic cord can signal the healthy completion of a relationship that has run its course.