In moments of struggle, when past wounds surface, we often feel trapped in cycles of overwhelm, limitation or pain that shapes our beliefs and clouds our perception of the future. As our wounds shape our beliefs, these beliefs then create a lens through which we view our present and future. We may tell ourselves stories — that we are not enough, that life is unfair, that some feat is insurmountable, or that healing is impossible. But what if the true source of these limiting beliefs is not our experiences, but how we perceive time itself?
While many see time as linear — a past behind us and a future ahead — some physicists and spiritual traditions propose that time is non-linear, moving in a spiral. What if we did in fact perceive time as a spiral?
Imagine standing at the bottom of a spiral staircase, looking upward. From below, the path seems distant, and we strive to climb, hoping that somewhere above lies healing, peace, or even heaven. But what if, instead, we place ourselves above the spiral and look down? From this vantage point, the spiral flattens, and we see that all points — past, present, and future — exist simultaneously. Everything is happening now. And if everything is now, then we are not separate from our past or our future. We can heal the past and empower the future in this very moment.
So, how do we tap into this timeless space of healing and resilience? We begin with three keys: nature, mindfulness, and grace.
Nature and the Wisdom of the Spiral
Nature offers us the perfect reflection of this timeless spiral. Look closely, and you will find the spiral everywhere — in the unfurling of ferns, the shells of snails, the pattern of galaxies, and the arrangement of sunflower seeds. These patterns follow the Fibonacci sequence — where each number is the sum of the two preceding it, creating the golden spiral — a universal code of growth, expansion, and evolution. Our healing journey mirrors this pattern: each loop brings us back to familiar challenges but with a new perspective and deeper wisdom.
When we attune to nature, we align with this natural rhythm. We realize that growth is not a straight path but a spiral dance, where each return to the same point offers a new perspective and a deeper layer of wisdom.
Mindfulness: The Anchoring in the Now
Mindfulness anchors us in the present moment, where time collapses into pure being. It allows us to observe our triggers without being consumed by them. When we become aware of the thoughts and sensations that arise when we are triggered, we gain the power to respond rather than react. In the stillness of mindfulness, we can meet our past selves with compassion and our future selves with hope, choosing the path that leads to growth and healing.
Grace: Healing Beyond Time
In the convergence of mindfulness and nature’s wisdom, grace emerges. Grace is the realization that the tools for healing — wisdom from our experiences, strength from our struggles, and love from within — are already within us. When we stop striving to fix the past or control the future, we open ourselves to the possibility that healing can happen now. In this moment. Not through force, but through surrender. Not through resistance, but through acceptance.We don’t have to chase the future or rewrite the past; we can transform both through our choices in the present.
The Timeless Journey to Resilience
Healing is not linear but a spiral, just like the Fibonacci patterns that shape the cosmos. Each time we encounter old wounds, we do so from a higher vantage point, equipped with new wisdom. With nature, we remember that life moves in spirals, and each return to our triggers is an invitation to ascend with a new perspective. With mindfulness, we sit with our wounds, acknowledging their pain without becoming their prisoner. With grace, we realize that the power to heal has always been within us.
We can reach back to our past selves and offer them compassion. We can extend our love forward to our future selves and nurture their dreams. And in doing so, we become resilient, not because we have conquered time, but because we have dissolved its illusion.
So, when the past triggers you, pause. Breathe. Find the spiral. Be in the NOW. And from the space where time dissolves into possibility, choose grace. Choose love.
With you on the journey, Eva Selhub, MD
