What we resist, persists...

I love these words;  and yet they can really make you think.  I tried explaining this to a friend the other day and find I struggle with articulating it well.

Originally said by Carl Jung I believe, I think it can be summed up by saying that when we resist things - we are fighting.  When we are fighting anything, the same thing will continue or get worse;  things don't move forward.

The opposite of resistance is acceptance.  One might then conclude, what we accept, resolves.  The struggle is gone and we are left with more peace and calm. 

Fighting or resisting can be anything...a feeling...a thought...a situation...something that we simply can't let go of.  I might refuse to accept the loss of a relationship.  The more I fight this reality, the harder it becomes to find peace.  If you find yourself in your head replaying situations and telling yourself over and over that it isn't fair or right....what you really might be trying to do is re-write the past which isn't possible.    When we stop fighting....aka....stop trying to argue why it was wrong....and just accept it as something that happened we might be able to move on a little more easily. 

Simply, ask yourself "What are you not accepting"?  I believe we are happier and more at peace accepting things insteading of fighting them. 

What we resist....persists.  

Nameste

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/melissa-van-rossum/moving-forward_b_1700246.html

Two Sides....

It’s funny how the same situation can be looked at in two very different ways…isn’t it?  If you are sick with the flu, you can focus on the discomfort, annoyance and frustration that your life is put on hold for a few days.  At the same time, perhaps your body is forcing you to take a break?  You could also see that it might help you appreciate when you are well, and even give you some compassion for others that struggle more than yourself.

Most situations can be viewed  from opposite spectrums.  Things can be so bad – so uncertain and challenging – OR they can be positve because perhaps there is growth and learning that is happening… and maybe necessary change.

The funny thing is that both scenarios are just our minds at work.  The truth of it is that there is no good or bad really.  It just is.  I don’t have to worry about the past or future or try and make lemonade out of lemons.  I can just sit with knowing I’m where I’m supposed to be and things will turn out as they should.

Of course being positive is something I strive for; I do subscribe to the self fulfilling prophecy. So yes, if I have to have thougths…predictions and chatter…I will try and see the positive, hope for the best and contribute to my destiny.  But I also can’t forget who is in charge… not me!  I can’t predict the future.   I have no idea what will happen.  But I know right now – things are OK.

To anyone struggling –  don’t assume the worst.  Just accept the present, be honest and challenge your thoughts.  When we say ” life sucks”  we have to rectify that immediately.  The first step is hearing it.  The next is being honest;  what are the facts.  What is the truth.  How can we stop making judgements?  Life doesn’t suck.  There might be pain or uncertainty but it doesn’t warrent a blanket statement like that.  Hear what you are telling yourself and just…correct it or at least make an attempt to:)

Nameste

Nature Nutures!

As a person working in veterinary medicine,  I am blessed daily with interacting with animals.  Of course I have my own menagerie of animals at home!

I watch the squirrels daily.  I have an outdoor/stray cat I enjoy watching as well.

I can honestly say I learn....and re-learn things all the time.  Squirrels might not be the sharpest knives in the drawer in terms of intelligence....but really who am I to say?

Regardless, I see them play regularly.  Sometimes with each other, often times on their own.  It's entertaining and remarkable to watch!  They don't need a therapist to tell them that play is an important part of life.

How many of us put "play" or recreation on the back burner...to make money...go to work or do what we "think" we should be doing?  How many of us really value play and fun in our weekly schedule?

Take time to play.  Have fun.  It's more important than we might think it is!

Nameste

Oh Universe...when will I learn!!

I had a few things happen in the past week that caused some distress for me. 

The first was that I lost my keys.  Actually scratch that;  the first was that I lost my apple TV remote - the thing is so small!  I looked high and low - inside my pillow cases,  tore my bed apart got out the flashlight to look under everything....and just...couldn't find it. 

Kevin showed up on the weekend and found it;  inside a pillow case - I thought I checked it thoroughly...guess not! 

Then it was my keys;  very distressing as I had my bus pass, my home keys and my work keys!  I tore my house apart.  Moved every couch.  Googled..."how to find your keys".  I lost them for 3 days.  It's interesting to see how much stress and anxiety showed up loosing a few little pieces of metal! 

In life, you can choose to do what many of us do;  search and search.  Drive yourself crazy and never accept that maybe you won't find them.  I did this for 3 days.  

I don't believe in giving up .  However I also am willing to look at my own state of being and wellness.  I was loosing sleep, being obsessive and making myself crazy.  I said to myself, I'm going to have to ACCEPT that I might not find them....and be OK with that. They are just keys!  Sure it'd be 200 bucks to replace my work key and I'm sure some hefty judgement....but isn't that ok in the big picture? 

I said to myself;  Tara - be Ok with this.  It's not that bad.  Stop worrying.  Literally 5 minutes later I went to water my plants and found them. 

The universe is a funny lady!  I truly believe she thought....until you accept your loss, you won't get what you want!

A silly anecdote perhaps.  But isn't this the stress we all deal with day in and day out?  Isn't the lesson timeless?  Stop looking.  Stop trying to control.  When you are supposed to find something....you will. 

Nameste

I don't feel OK - but that's OK

... the ability to rest comfortably in the present moment regardless of its imperfections is the foundation of all true happiness." Sharon Salzberg, Real Happiness at Work.

I think being OK when things are not is a skill we can all improve.  I have to be honest that I still struggle when chaos is present.  Again, for me, physical "imperfections" seem to be the most difficult to be OK with.  

I'm not talking about aesthetics - sure I hate my body - I'm a woman and I'm not getting any younger!  I am talking about when my health feels jeopardized.  I don't consider myself a hypochondriac, but I do worry with certain symptoms... when I don't know or can't figure out what is wrong with me or why I'm not feeling better.  

Regardless, when I feel off and don't know why I'm certain I am not OK.  I am not able to "rest comfortably" because I am worried.  And I am very unhappy. 

Lately I try and tell myself that it will pass.  And it does.  And it has truely helped.  

I hope that this insight might help others as well. 

Nameste. 

Keep your comments to....

“When we attend to the moment-to-moment flow of experience, and recognize what’s happening…fully allowing it, not adding judgment or commentary, then we are cultivating a mindful awareness.” 

Tara Brach

One of my favorites - Tara Brach - thank you Heather for introducing her to me!

Not adding judgements or commentary - what a hard thing to do!  Making an attempt is half the battle. 

Nameste

Attachment

When you feel anxious about something in your day, quickly check if you might be more attached to the outcome than is necessary. Mindfulness for Worriers

I think attachment is something we all need to evaluate.  What are you attached too?  A relationship?  A job?  An image?  Your physical beauty?  Your intelligence?  Being accepted or liked?

When I say "attachment" what I'm really referring to is how much something affects and impacts you.  Am I OK if any of the above listed were to dissapear?  

I need to be OK today with who I am.  I can't depend on my external attachments .  Ask yourself this.  If I were to loose _________today....would I be OK? Would I still be me? Could I cope and function?

Today, I am choosing to be free - unattached.  

The only thing I might attach to is the fact that the sun will rise and fall tomorrow and time will tick on...regardless if I believe in it or support it.  External things come and go.  Internally, I will always be me, and their is always a present moment that I can be in. 

Nameste