Soulful persistence

It is said that as you work at something, it becomes easier.  From this view, the endeavour gradually does not seem like work. Some people interpret this to mean the harder you exert the self or the more it struggles, the bigger the reward. 

Society teaches that a person is meant to earn success with blood, sweat and tears. As part of the process, a person is expected to engage in competition, conflict and feel repeatedly tested. Deep down, one is invited to ask what is testing whom?

Ingrained views condition people to think that anything coming easily does not deserve to be appreciated. For example, when a sports game appears one-sided, not only do players feel something missing but spectators somehow feel gypped.

Another view of persistence has nothing to do with striving to achieve, accomplish or become anything. From this view, you need not be fastest, best or most anything. Comparisons and a need to excel fall away. What you are remembering, remains. The soul is a silent warrior with infinite patience. What is the nature of any path? How does soul dialogue and expand inside?

Respond to adversity with love

Imagine you connect with someone who says he feels he approaches the end of his rope.  He shares with you that nothing is going right, that he is not getting what he wants and that his health is failing.  This person may be emotional, self-critical and focused on what he does not control.  This could also be you. What are you invited to learn?  How can you respond to adversity with love? Sense these five things;

1) Listen with your being.  See blessings wherever you are.

2) Feel every thought and emotion then, detach.  Know they are not you & do not control you unless you let them.

3) Love and accept everyone & everything unconditionally.

4) Recognize the impermanence of everything.

5)  Focus on your awareness of a situation & open to attract the thoughts that will reveal answers. Tap into universal wisdom consciousness.  Use what it offes without becoming slave to it.

4 Ways to reactivate your true self

As children grow up, they are often conditioned to stop listening to their bodies and to move away from what strengthens their heart and soul. It happens in ways you do not initially notice. Some people hesitate to believe or, never connect how their feelings influence their life choices.

At some point, part of you is aware you wish to reactivate your true self. What does this require? Does part of you say to stop something you have outgrown or start fresh? Maybe a job beckons or new training. Maybe relationships call for attention. You may shirk responsibility for financial, biological, spiritual or other reasons. Part of you realizes what you put off. As you raise awareness, details of the what and why resurface;

1) Absorb the truth in your words. You may not be used to speaking with confidence and dignity you would like to feel.  As you listen closer to your word choices, what do they tell you about youf? Are you happy where you are? If not, what next? Words are powerful indicators about balance and direction.

2) Note what is human and universal. Those situations that cause you to feel awkward, embarassed or ashamed are frequently what connects you to everyone. Each experience invites you to find humor, lightness and  delight in apparent discomfort. What bothers you is the key to releasing tension.

3) Refuse to hide. The nature of what you hide from others and repress from conscious awareness is a gauge for feelings that merit attention.  For some people, it is unacknowledged grief.  For others, it is suppressed passion or creative freedom. The decision to open up to self is a step toward being more honest with others. Revisit what you deem appropriate now.

4) Reframe challenges. What you assume will be painful, risky, tiring or not worth it, could all be your own misplaced assumptions.  How do you validate or legitimize your experience? Some people complain about adveristy to get attention, and this makes their effort worthwhile.  Other people are content in the silence of their own inner knowing that certain choices feel right.  Deeper meaning always exists.