Transformational Clusters

When we took our middle daughter to college, way back five years ago right around this time, we noticed, as we wandered around the University of Michigan's massive campus, that most of the freshman walked in clusters. Large groups of alike students, connected together by the hip. Security in numbers during this, most definitely stressful time as they acclimated to this new environment.  

But it was more than just a random grouping together for safety. There was a true connection there through collective experience. A shared focus that came from fear and excitement and wonder and worry all rolled into one. Most likely only a few longterm friendships would come out of this. For the purpose was to create a bridge to a new place. And so they latched on to each other and felt more secure and were, hopefully, able to thrive these first few days of school.

I got to thinking about this because of something my daughter-in-law said the other day. (ok not quite my daughter-in-law yet but soon and in my heart she already is... so...) We were talking about transformation. And she noted that all of us, me, my husband, children (she is included in this) and even my amazing and beautiful and smart and capable and getting so big I can't stand it Doberman puppy, are going through a major shift. Not one big shift. We are each journeying through our own metamorphosis. But together with each other.

And that got me thinking about those clusters. Because it makes sense that we would be in this together growing our separate ways. 

Transformation happens when we are open to the possibility of change within ourselves. But this possibility needs nurturing. It needs a safe place. Possibility needs to be gently held, occasionally nudged and consistently honored. Hence this cluster.

Now our cluster is pretty obvious. We are all related to each other. A ready-made oasis for growth and development. But if you look around, you'll see that clusters form without familial connections. Like minded find each other in our quest for growth and light. We gravitate to that subtle energy vibration that comes forth from others on a similar journey. And we latch on, a healthy binding that fuels each other. And, just like our freshmen, who made it through those first few weeks and then slowly watched their cluster divide into separateness again, we too, will stay connected until we don't need that anymore. Until we reach that place we are meant to get to, and our cluster detaches as the energy subsides.