Pride Cometh Before the Fall

In my morning meditations, I reflected on recent events in my life and how they related to a persistent injury to my wrist. Often, we are unaware of where we are going before it is too late, and then, alarmingly, unexpectedly, something manifests in the physical world to remind us of our limitations. For me, the physical body has never been an issue. I have been so blessed with vigor, and with a seemingly unstoppable immune system, that it has given rise to a false sense of being totally invincible when it comes to my health.

Like all of us, I am a beautiful matrix of intersecting spiritual influences all of which affect where I go, what I do and who I meet. And as complex as we all are, we are all, nonetheless, called to one abiding truth--to love our fellow man and join together in unity. Understanding this much will send you soaring across the universe.

In my astrological chart, it clearly indicates that my quest for freedom and independence is often at odds with my need to ground myself in the here and now. And as my moon's north node (karmic direction) is firmly fixed in the sign of Aquarius, I continually strive to attain a humanitarian ideal while carrying behind me the sweep and swagger of a dragon's tail colored in Leo's vibrant need (demand, really) for recognition. I can be eccentric, willful and more than a little prideful. My goal, then, is to unite the two polarities into one harmonious flow of soulful energy in service to mankind. It is not that one is preferable to the other. All signs of the zodiac have their pluses and minuses.

So when I fell on the rocks by my beloved river in June due to a lack of foresight and poor judgment, it mirrored events in my career that have led to my current battles with anxiety. The discordant tones reverberating within my soul's inner chamber are clearly the result of my own inability to overcome pride. And as they say, pride cometh before the fall.

While most of my physical injuries on the river that day manifested as simple bruises, my right wrist continues in weakness two months later. I have had to wear a brace, pop Advil, use my left hand to lift and avoid too much time at the computer where carpal tunnel syndrome sends radiating pain up into my shoulder. Alas, I am host to a physical body after all, one that requires my protection.

Dragging this injury around for the last two months has felt like an Achilles' heel reminder about pride. So I prayed in earnest this morning to be healed, to have my eyes opened to pride, once again, showing itself to be my biggest weakness. And so it is for all of us. And it is this that keeps us isolated and further away from the unity that God would have for us.