Sometime around 1989 (and with a much flatter tummy), I ornamented my navel.  To mark the start of a new chapter in my life, I hung from it a stainless ring and small silver scarab, a sign of rebirth, change and new beginnings.  Fast forward to 2009 and my scarab has been with me for 20 years.  It’s become a part of me and helped me through much change and rebirth.  I’ve stopped seeing it when I shower or feeling it when I sleep.  I sometimes forget that I have it. 

For the last three years, I contemplated replacing my scarab with an amulet suitable to the life I’m cultivating now. I don’t want new beginnings; I want to wear a symbol of balance, tranquility and stability.   I’m done with change!

After searching for the perfect bauble, I bought a small Om in silver, moonstone and amethyst.  Om is the Sanskrit symbol for the universe, the union of mind, body and spirit as well as all that is and all that is not.  Om is the ubiquitous symbol in yoga, something that has become important in my life. As I slid my scarab off the ring and slipped the Om on in its place, it felt odd against my skin. 

Who knew a sign of peace and universal love could cause such problems?  Within a few days, my navel became infected.  The Om charm snagged my clothes.  One morning, I threw the covers off my bed and caught the Om in the process, almost ripping my ring from my navel.  Not two weeks after removing my scarab for the Om, there I was with the pliers replacing my little bug. 

My navel has healed and my scarab is once again ensconced upon my tummy.  I’m almost certain he will be there for the rest of my life.  My scarab and all that he represents are a part of me.  When life is going well, we may want to eschew new beginnings or change for safety and stability, but that doesn’t work.  The only thing that is constant in our lives IS change.  We need to learn to embrace that – a little lesson I learned from my navel.