Stop Struggling

When we have important issues we want to work on, many of us operate under the belief system that we must make some type of “grand gesture” in order to over come whatever obstacle we face. I’ve discovered this process is truly only as hard as we make it.

I am not suggesting that this approach works for something that has within it elements that take effort. For instance running a marathon- yes, you do need to train strenuously for months. But marathon running isn’t only about preparing one’s body, it also entirely involves one’s mind and spirit. When examining the intersection of mind, body and spirit, we can decide to stop the struggle in some areas and use rigorous discipline when called for.

I remember a few months ago sitting at a restaurant and suddenly experienced a severe cramp in my leg. My first reaction was to tighten. I instead decided to take the opposite approach and move into the bodily sensation of cramping. I was pleasantly surprised when the pain was minimal, left no lingering painful feeling, almost as if I hadn’t gone thru the experience.

As I’ve engaged in spiritual reading over the past few months, I have been struck time and time again by the concept of “acceptance”. Since our minds are creative, we create what our preconceived notions are. Since we only know the past, we recreate the past, never giving ourselves the chance to enjoy the present moment or new opportunities. Learn to accept what is. Your present experience is what it is now. Decide to surrender. THIS PROCESS DOES NOT HAVE TO BE HARD!!! Remind yourself of this fact consistently. It can just “happen”. Let yourself come to decisions quietly within your spirit. As you learn acceptance, it is not for you to judge right now, but to pay attention. You will in time know what to take and learn from the experience, but that time is not now.

Move into acceptance (this helps you let go of control). Remind yourself, “I accept.” Simple. Stick to it. If you’ve accepted a difficult situation, stick with the decision. You made it in faith. Faith has big pay-offs. A person whom I admire greatly has the amazing ability to just accept and rest with difficult decisions- without wavering, going back and forth and so on. This singleness of intent within her mind/body/spirit has produced phenomenal results.

As you are new at practicing this concept, don’t try to rush ahead to, “I am so happy about this, this is so wildly fantastic.” No- stick with the basic acceptance. If you decide, joy will come in time (but if you are an exception, perhaps it will come quickly for you.)

Accept one event/situation at a time as it comes to you. Stop the fear, let go/surrender and be at peace.

Blessings,
Nicole