I know we think the idea of life is to not have any problems. But seriously, when has that ever been true for you?
I used to believe that, though. My continuous thought pattern went something like this: “Okay when this (insert specific challenge) ends, life will be smooth and easy.”
Until finally one day I realized that thinking was an utter and complete fallacy!
Because here was how I actually lived my life: Once one issue was resolved, another sprung to take its place!
Right? Isn’t it always something?
So what do we do about this?
Lately I’ve been working with my most recent problem and am finding the process incredibly illuminating.
Here’s how this process works.
First (of course) we have to get past the feelings of “ugh, I don’t want this problem! I’ll just pretend I don’t have it, ignore it, push it away…
Then we have to acknowledge that the problem is lingering at the edges of our awareness, pressing in on us.
And finally make the decision to deal with it.
That’s when the fun really starts!
I say fun because that’s where the opportunity for growth and learning lie, yay!
Let’s say your problem seems small, even petty. You’re bickering with a colleague. Your neighbor’s lawn is always full of litter and totally bugs you. You can’t seem to resolve a minor conflict with a family member. In the scheme of problems, yours is trite. It isn’t about Covid, or world peace, or a life threatening illness.
And because it’s small, it’s easy to judge it and yourself. Why aren’t I over this little issue yet?
Sound familiar?
Here’s an example. The other day a woman shared about her anxiety having to go to the store to buy a new smartphone. Immediately I wanted to judge her. Who on earth has anxiety about buying a new phone I wondered. I listened though as she went on to explain how she allowed herself to experience her anxiety and then remember that she was always supported by God/universe to make perfect decisions.
It wasn’t until later that it hit me. And here was my big a-ha.
Whether you’re buying a phone, irritated with your co-worker or bugged by a neighbor, it’s the SAME as wanting to heal the world from Covid, or desiring world peace.
Here’s what I mean.
We judge something as being big or small, worthy of our attention or not. But what if we didn’t?
In A Course in Miracles, the first principle we learn about miracles is that, “There is no order of difficulty in miracles. One is not "harder" or "bigger" than another. They are all the same. All expressions of love are maximal.”
When we think about these “problems” or “challenges” we’re experiencing, the same is true because every learning opportunity is maximal!
Because EVERY TIME we choose to view the situation differently, we are healed.
Big or small, trite or enormous, every time we ask, “please let me see this person differently.” “Please let me experience this situation differently,” we open the door to love, to expansiveness, to love.
All the rest is simply our judgement and a way of blocking our own learning and opening.
So what do you say? Willing to try?
I am so excited about this – I’m going to use it every time I feel myself get upset!
How about you?