HOW TO GET OUT OF LIFE’S MUCK

Life comes with curve balls. Sometimes, we move a little faster, thinking we are getting ahead in the game. That is when we miss the curve of them entirely and *SMACK* - are hit right in the face, knocking us down. Dizzied and caught unaware, we "react" getting frustrated, jealous, and angry or feeling victimized and persecuted. “Who threw that one? Who is to blame?” In that moment, if we do not stop the process, our reactions will roll right into resentment and then, into revenge.

They say when we seek revenge; we might as well dig two graves.

The following chart can make change much easier. It shows what we have often heard = there are only two paths in life, the negative, or the positive. If we believe everything happens for a reason, it can help us see the inherent opportunity every “bad” circumstance or event offers us.

I know, considering the curve balls and smacks in the head 'great opportunities', might initially seem a little crazy. If we want to though, we can realize they strengthen us the minute we get up – “that, which does not kill us, will make us stronger”. Depending on our attitude, those smacks can even knock the “stupid” right out of us. They can clear our plates of the distasteful beliefs we have been either eating or hanging onto for years – never with easy digestion or uncluttered peace.

Changing lifelong beliefs is not easy – especially if we refuse to practice or deny the necessity to do so. It is human nature to justify our actions or lack thereof. Unfortunately, the longer we hang onto them, procrastinating getting up or changing, the faster more balls will hit until we are so battered and bruised, the manifestation of dis-ease is inevitable.

Finding solutions can help us feel grateful. Gratitude returns to us as quickly as we can put it out there. Joy seeps in, love begins to fill us up as long as there is room in our cup for more, and it will flow in. The more negative we let go of, the more room we have in our cup. The more gratitude, joy, and love that is in our cup, the more compassionate we feel, thus, creating fewer negative situations. The more grateful we are that there is less negative….

A list showing how everything is related could continue for pages. The truth is however, that might seem complicated. Complicated is the buddy of procrastination and justification at the bottom of the chart and just putting all this in writing has me soaring at the top of the chart. How about you?

“Are we there yet”?

For brevity’s sake, I won’t give examples to validate or “justify” each of these statements. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask in the comment section. Rather, let me simply explain what happens the moment we choose to find that “opportunity”.

Naturally, just getting up, knowing we are moving out of the muck and harm’s way is exciting. E-motions are what move us and in this case, the excitement creates enthusiasm. When we become enthused about anything, our creativity kicks in. Creativity involves our imagination. The more energy (emotion) we allow ourselves to feel, the more excited we get. The further we get from the lower negative side of the chart (doubt), the more creative, imaginative solutions we can see.

Nancy McGimsby’s lyrics are the closest to thoroughly understanding and rejoicing in this concept that I have ever found. Therefore, with joy, love, and gratitude, I present them to you here:

The Stones on My Path

"Its hard for me to stay,
Centered in spirit all day
I find myself drifting away,
On my river full of worries for that day...

Then suddenly some little thing,
Will remind me that my heart should ever sing
All the time, every moment that I live,
I thank you for the love that you give...

I want to thank you for the sun as she shines,
and I want to thank you for the flower on the vine,
And I thank you for the stones in my path today,
even the ones in the way...

Sometimes I see the rocks in the road,
And I wonder why I carry such a load
I wonder why we're limited by fears,
And why we have to bath ourselves in tears...

Then suddenly I hear your voice,
Telling me that the fear is my choice
And you remind me that the struggle and the strife,
Make up much of the learning part of life...

I want to thank you for the sun as she shines,
and I want to thank you for the flower on the vine,
And I thank you for the stones in my path today,
even the ones in the way

And I want a thank you for the chance to give,
And I want to thank you for the chance to really live
And I thank you for the stones in my path today,
even the ones in the way

And I thank you for the stones in my path today,
especially the ones in the way..."

- Nancy McGimsby

"The Front Porch of Heaven" [available @ Eckankar.org]