The Tomb of Life

A gardener plants a seed in the soil. With proper care, the seed will sprout, rise through the dirt, and become a mighty oak, fragrant flower, or a tasty fruit. The seed will become what it was meant to be.

But, can you imagine what would happen if the seed didn't know its purpose, and said to the gardener, 'Hey, don't put me in the ground, I don't deserve it, I don't like the darkness, I hate being alone…'

And if the seed's wish were granted, it would never be planted, it would not grow.

Like that sad little seed, each and everyone of us tries to avoid the Tomb of Life. It is that place where you feel stuck, separated, where nothing seems to be happening, where you are alive but not really living. You are in a rut and it feels like there is no way out.

How did you get in the Tomb? First there was a crucifixion: Someone said 'your too fat', 'your too quiet', 'you're not good enough.' Or, you've been abused, or are abusing yourself with some form of addiction. Perhaps you or a loved one is ill. Maybe someone has died, or a relationship has ended. Or, you've been fired, laid off, or you quit. No matter how it happened, what it was, or who started it, crucifixions feel like hell. After the crucifixion comes the 'Tomb'.

The Tomb is not much better. It is dark, cold, damp. Why call it the 'Tomb of Life?' What's life got to do with it? It sure feels like death, looks like death, smells like death, but it is not death. The Tomb is an important part of life.

In-between the pain and the joy of every moment, there is the Tomb. The good news is that the Tomb of Life is not the end. It is a temporary holding place. While the seed is in the soil, it grows, it gets stronger. Eventually, it can start throwing some dirt around, it loosens what binds it, and it sprouts.

Likewise, the time we spend in the Tomb, can strengthen us, it can help us sprout wings so we too can rise. Tomb time can be the beginning of something grand, if you are willing to be planted, to be alone for awhile, to be still.

If you just broke up with your best friend, some Tomb time is necessary before you can venture out to meet new (and better) friends. If you just lost your job, some Tomb time is required before you find a new (and better) job.

So the real issue is not that the Tomb of Life is the end of the road, the real issue is that it is the beginning of a whole highway system.

Most people, however, are afraid of the Tomb of Life. Most people can't handle the darkness. Being alone, is terrifying to many. Anything that requires change is petrifying for some. But, the Tomb of Life is an experience of life and we can either grow from it (soak up all it has to offer and live life fully) or avoid it (and fool everybody by breathing, because in fact, if we avoid the 'Tomb' we are dead.) If we choose to live, the Tomb of Life can be the best thing that ever happened to us.

If, right now, you find yourself in the Tomb of Life, know that this is your time to prepare for something grand. You may not know if you are to be a towering oak, a fragrant flower, or a tasty fruit. But whatever it is you are meant to be, you will be marvelous. All you need to do is use your tomb time properly.

Soak up the nutrients (perhaps it's time to take a class), push away the dirt (by taking responsibility for your health, eating less, avoiding sugar, caffeine), and get stronger (by exercising more).

Then, just sit back and watch that boulder roll away, you are free, and it is time to rise. That’s what life is all about.