Today I was given a gift by a classmate in my integrative exercise program— two hand-etched glasses on which she placed a symbol specifically picked for each of the recipients. On mine she put a phoenix. 

I have heard quotes about the phoenix before and was kind of familiar with what it symbolized but, to be honest, I never paid the story much attention. After receiving this gift, I have done some “light research” into what the history of this symbol means and I learned that: 

• The phoenix is a mythical creature and has likely been around since the time of the ancient Egyptians (I’m sure there a lot of rich history I’m leaving out here!)
  
• Descriptions of the bird vary and include features of an eagle, hawk, heron, and ostrich, and even flamingo
  
• The phoenix is often viewed as a symbol for strength in that it represents rebirth, renewal, and recovering from a setback by “rising from the ashes”
  

The symbolism behind the phoenix is that no matter how many set backs one may have, you can always maintain faith and hope to rise again and keep going. I am so honored that my classmate selected this symbol for me.

Darkness can be a teacher allowing room for faith and hope to shine through. Resilience means embracing what is hard and leaning into it, sometimes holding it there and staying in the hard to see what newness it can become and what will emerge. 

“Faith is the bird that feels the light and sings when the dawn is still dark.” — Rabindranath Tagore