TRUE NORTH 3: THE PICTURES IN OUR MINDS
“My favorite color is October.” — Unknown ”
October has always held a special place in my heart. There is something magical about watching Mother Nature paint the world in brilliant shades of red, orange, yellow, and gold. Each leaf seems to have its own story to tell, its own unique color to contribute to the magnificent masterpiece unfolding before our eyes. And perhaps that is one of October's greatest lessons. We are all different colors, carrying different stories, yet together we create something beautiful.
Day three of our True North Gathering was certainly colorful! Not necessarily in the way I had planned, but then again, when does God ever promise to follow my agenda? I have often said that I make plans and God laughs. Well, this weekend I believe He has been doing backflips! Saturday's activities became Sunday's, and Sunday's somehow found their way into Saturday. Today was no exception. Activities shifted, plans changed, and what I thought would be a simple exercise began with someone declaring, "I'm so confused!" I had to laugh. Perhaps confusion was exactly what we needed in that moment. You see, one of the beautiful lessons we explored today was about the invisible emotions we carry around with us. We may think we have everything neatly tucked away, safely hidden from the world, yet those emotions have a way of announcing themselves without our permission.
Sometimes others can see what we cannot. They sense our sadness, frustration, fear, or anger long before we acknowledge those feelings ourselves. And sometimes we encounter someone whose behavior leaves us wondering what on earth is going on with them.
Have you ever walked into a room and immediately felt the tension, even though nobody said a word? Or perhaps someone responded sharply to an innocent comment, leaving you wondering what you did wrong. The truth is, we seldom know the whole story. During our gathering, we explored how emotions influence the way we interact with one another. What appeared to be a simple exercise became a powerful reminder that we are all walking around with invisible signs, carrying feelings that others may recognize before we do.
And that brings me to another experience we shared about the pictures we carry in our minds. Imagine, if you will, a very long wall stretching as far as your eyes can see. Hanging along that wall are hundreds, perhaps thousands, of picture frames. Each one contains a moment from your life. Some are filled with joy, laughter, love, and celebration. Others hold memories of disappointment, rejection, betrayal, grief, or fear. These are the pictures stored in the memory banks of our minds. Every now and then, something happens that causes us to reach up and pull one of those frames from the wall. Perhaps someone speaks in a certain tone of voice. Maybe a facial expression reminds us of someone who hurt us long ago. Suddenly, without consciously choosing to do so, we are staring at an old picture. And here is where it gets interesting. We are no longer responding entirely to what is happening in front of us. We are responding to what happened back then. The person standing before us may have absolutely nothing to do with the original wound, yet our emotions react as though the past has returned for another visit. We hold that framed picture directly in front of our eyes, blocking our view of the present moment.
What we often fail to recognize is that the picture captures only one frozen moment in time. It does not contain the entire story. It does not show everything that happened before or afterward. It certainly does not reveal all the lessons, healing, and growth that have taken place since then. Yet we give that one picture the power to determine how we feel today. How many times have we allowed yesterday's pain to color today's experience? This is where compassion becomes so important.
When someone responds to us with anger, perhaps we can pause before reacting. Instead of immediately pulling down one of our own painful pictures, what if we simply recognized that the other person may be looking at one of theirs? What if we understood that their reaction might have very little to do with us? And what if, when we feel ourselves becoming defensive, hurt, or fearful, we ask, "Am I responding to this moment, or am I looking at an old picture?" That one question can change everything. It does not mean we excuse unkind behavior or abandon healthy boundaries. It simply means we begin to see ourselves and others through the eyes of compassion rather than judgment.
I believe Jesus demonstrated this beautifully throughout His earthly ministry. He looked beyond outward appearances and saw the hearts of those standing before Him. He understood that beneath anger there may be fear, beneath harshness there may be sorrow, and beneath silence there may be a soul longing to be heard.
Perhaps finding our True North is not about removing every painful picture from the wall. Perhaps it is about learning that we no longer have to stand in front of those pictures and relive them. We can acknowledge them, honor what they taught us, and gently place them back on the wall where they belong — in the past. We can even choose to reframe them, seeing not only the pain but also the strength, wisdom, and resilience that emerged from those experiences. And then we can turn around and look at the beautiful life unfolding right before our eyes. October reminds us that change can be breathtaking. The trees do not cling desperately to their green leaves, insisting that everything remain as it was. They allow their colors to emerge, surrendering to the season with grace. What if we did the same? What if we allowed the old emotional colors of fear, resentment, and regret to give way to the brilliant colors of forgiveness, understanding, acceptance, and love?
At the conclusion of our True North Gathering, I am reminded that the most meaningful experiences are not always the ones written on the agenda. Sometimes the greatest lessons come through confusion, unexpected changes, laughter, tears, and those beautiful moments when a soul recognizes something it has been carrying for far too long. God may have been laughing at my carefully planned schedule this weekend, but I believe the angels were smiling as each lesson unfolded exactly as it needed to. After all, perhaps our True North is not found in following a perfect plan. Perhaps it is discovered when we stop looking at yesterday's pictures long enough to see the masterpiece God is creating today.
Dear Angels, how can we recognize when we are responding to old emotional wounds instead of what is actually happening in the present moment? And how can we learn to see others with greater compassion when their emotions affect us?
Dear Ones, you carry within you a gallery of experiences, each one a brushstroke upon the canvas of your earthly journey. Some have brought you great joy, while others have left impressions of sorrow, fear, or disappointment. Yet none of these pictures defines the fullness of who you are. When an emotion rises unexpectedly, do not rush to judge it or push it away. Instead, become curious. Ask yourself what memory may be seeking your attention. Notice whether you are seeing the person before you or the shadow of someone from your past.
Awareness is the doorway through which healing may enter. You are not required to erase your memories, beloved ones. You are simply invited to release their hold upon your present experience. And when another soul approaches you carrying an invisible burden, remember that you cannot see every picture hanging upon their inner walls. Offer kindness where you can, understanding where it is possible, and loving boundaries where they are needed.
Just as October reveals its beauty through many colors, humanity reveals its beauty through countless experiences and expressions. Do not fear the changing colors of your own soul. Each season offers an opportunity to grow in wisdom and love. Your True North has never been hidden in the pictures of yesterday. It rests in the stillness of your heart, where Divine Love continually calls you home. We are with you as you learn to look beyond the frames and recognize the magnificent light within yourself and others. You are loved beyond measure.
Angels Whisper: You are not the painful picture you have carried, nor are you the emotion it awakens. You are the beautiful soul who has grown beyond that moment. Put down the frame, open your heart, and allow the colors of compassion to paint a new picture of your life.
Today, I promise to pause and let Spirit take over whenever I feel myself responding to a situation with anything other than love.
Teri Angel is a Joy Guide, Happiness Coach, energy healer, best-selling author, spiritual teacher, mentor, and inspirational speaker devoted to awakening peace within the human heart. As an International Peace Ambassador and founder of the nonprofit Angelspeakers Inc., Teri creates transformative workshops, sacred gatherings, and global initiatives that honor environmental stewardship, animal advocacy, peace consciousness, and the integration of ancient wisdom teachings into modern life.
Through her worldwide movement, Peas For Peace, Teri invites humanity to remember our divine interconnectedness—strengthening awareness of our oneness and inspiring unity through compassion, love, joy, and intentional action. During the Peace On Earth Tour, she was honored with the sacred name “She Who Blesses the Sacred Land,” a title she carries with humility and heartfelt grace as she continues blessing lands and waters around the world.
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