It's no secret these are challenging times. Chaos, conflict and upheaval are brewing on many fronts – political, economic, livelihoods, environmental, even international affairs. All the things we don't like about our world, as well as a lot of their causes, are coming to the surface for us to see and deal with.

Some of us feel called to work in some of those areas. Others of us work to alleviate some of the suffering and hardship that result or otherwise exist. Still more have their hands full just trying to deal with their own lives and the situations they encounter every day.

Whatever our course, one thing is clear. We all have to find a way to move through the darkness and uncertainty to get to the other side – whatever it looks like – and somehow deal with all the stuff that comes up along the way.

Sure, our efforts may to one extent or another influence how it takes shape, at least the part that affects us. We certainly hope so; that's why we're doing it. Still, the way things are now it's hard to know for sure what to do, much less how and where to go, so that we can make our journey to the other side with as little negative impact as possible.

I could speak for hours about our being born into this time of changes to experience these very things and the challenge of trying to travel an uncharted course through a minefield of situations waiting to explode, and take us with them.

Knowing that might bring a little comfort to those who think it is all happening randomly and fall prey to their minds running wild with thoughts like, “Oh my God, our lives are falling apart. What are we ever going to do?” Or perhaps we can take solace that it isn't happening to us alone, or that we're the only one having to face the many fears these situations elicit.

Let's forget for a moment what might lie on the other side of the uncertainty and focus instead on where we are right now. And where we are now is in the middle of a great big mess, one we have to find a way through wherever we're going.

I see our current state of affaris as a good thing, much like cleaning the garage. And as my family knows, when I get started cleaning the garage, the mess gets a whole lot deeper and spreads out everywhere until I finally decide what I'm going to keep and where it's going to fit.

Right now we're in that stage of tearing things apart, seeing what we've got and deciding if it's something that's worth holding onto. We're each playing our part in stirring up the crud we've locked away from view, and now it's out there for everyone to see. Now that we see it, the question is whether we'll stuff it away to deal with another day (much like we sometimes do with things stored in the garage that one or another of us isn't ready to let go of yet). And if it's not something useful to us, then to let it go.

Just like in cleaning the garage, sometimes we get sidetracked by stuff we find that enthralls us so much that we have to take some time to look at it, try it out or put it on for size. That's why the political and economic battles are so enticing right now. Our leaders are playing out the roles of the old beliefs and practices we had stored in our garage through the issues of the day, and we're trying them on for size by taking one side or another to see how it fits.

But just like that box of old clothes we're rummaging through, those battles don't feel so good any more. We may take sides like we used to, and even try to fight enthusiastically about getting things our way, but we're not really into it any more. Taking sides isn't working for us the way we want, and we're finding it harder and harder to keep supporting the same old policies and practices we turned a blind eye toward for so long.

To make sure we get the point, our leaders keep pushing the envelope, burdening our kids' kids with heavy bills for stimulus packages and bailouts for bankers and big business that make many of us uncomfortable. Or weighing us down with well-meant social programs and regulations that inhibit growth or feed a gluttonous government while doing little to solve the problems they profess to address. Worst of all, their fights for power and control over our lives and common affairs are now front and center for all to see, with little thought that maybe we just might do better without any of them.

Somehow we've got to step into this mess and say, “Enough is enough!” We can't depend on anyone else to clean house for us; after all, most of those who want us to let them are part of the problem. Rather, it's something we have to do ourselves.

Piece by piece, we have to dig out all the crap we've allowed to accumulate and deal with it. A lot of it won't be easy, and will be hard to let go. But when we're done, we'll put back what want most in our lives, and get rid of the rest. And the result will be something much neater and more suitable to the kind of lives we want to live, and the kind of world we need to live them in.

So as you go into the darkness of your life (or turn on the TV and see the chaos and conflict swirling there, too), realize that you are doing so to find your way to a better day. Getting there may not be easy, and you'll probably find a lot of things you'll have to address along the way. Once you do, though, you just might find that your life will get a little cleaner and lighter so that you're only carrying with you the things you want, and leaving behind those you don't.

Just remember. You aren't going through this alone. Nor do you have to go about it alone. This is why I've spoken so much on coming together and building community – to draw on each other for the strength and support to keep at it despite the crud you have to clean.

There are many kind and caring people who can shine a light upon your way, who will help you see things in a new light and uncover new ways to deal with the problems that crop up. Spiritual leaders can help as well, particularly those who empower you to connect with your inner source and draw upon the creative powers at your core.

Don't forget, too, that our governments offer many services and safety nets to help if your dramas spiral out of control. Try, though, to use them as a temporary respite and avoid the trap of relinquishing your power and responsibility for your life to their helping hand.

It's your life. It's your mess, at least the part that affects you. You have to deal with it. Just like together we're all having to clean up the mess we and those who came before us allowed to build up.

But that's okay, because what we'll have when we're done something more to our liking, even if it doesn't look like it at the moment. Hold your vision firm, and continue on with your work.

A new world is coming. With your help, it's day will soon arrive.