Barbara:
I have been asked if there are suggestions for those who would like to begin to look more deeply at what keeps them from inner peace and real happiness—in other words, Soul growth. I offer this today.
Many of us have avoided looking deeply at our lives because it’s too hard, too much work, or too painful. But this is the chance to step up to do the inner work and have lots of heavenly help as we do it.
There are many ways to begin, and there are also programs and teachers who can offer guidance. For me the surest way is to first agree to look at the barriers I hold that prevent my loving ‘better’. The Universe “hears” that, and then the challenges begin. 🙂 Whatever is in the way of happiness and union with God will surface—sometimes with a scary vengeance. The key is to recognize this as an opportunity from God to make the necessary changes in our lives. It is not for the faint of heart and it does take courage. We like to think that we are just fine—that it’s everyone else in the world who is wrong. 🙂 Read on….
God is delighted to ‘help’ us by presenting us with situation after situation that will “push our buttons” until we wake up and notice what we are doing. Now, once something shows up—anger for example, the idea is to step back, look at what is happening, and ask yourself, “Why am I reacting with anger to this?” “What in me is resisting this?” “What in me feels out of control here?”
At first it’s difficult to step back in that moment. Because over the years we have developed automatic responses that now seem normal to us. It takes practice to notice that anger and be able to step back to look at it. LOTS of practice. It seems like ‘it’s’ a part of us and can’t be changed…but it can.
We have likely BLAMED others for our reactions—parents, spouse, co-worker, ancestry, lack of money, lack of time, etc. etc. It’s not MY fault that they MAKE me so angry! 🙂
Well, no one is at fault. No one makes us do anything. It may be hard to believe at first, but we choose our reactions to every situation in our lives—every situation. Begin to notice that.
In order to let go of anger for instance, I must OWN that reaction. My anger is all mine. I am choosing to react in anger to that person or that situation. I can choose to respond in a different way. In fact, another person may choose a completely different response to the same situation.
The cause or reasons for our reactions ALWAYS come from inside us. Ouch! When we can look more deeply at WHY we are reacting—in anger, or in controlling ways, or by retreating from the situation, or in any way other than love—then we are getting to the root causes we carry within us and we can begin to change.
Did I mention this takes practice? 🙂 So don’t lose heart—God is with you, and your Angels are cheering you on. It is also most helpful to journey with a trusted friend or friends so that you can talk together about what is changing in your lives.
Blessings as you go and grow!
NOTE: I do appreciate your comments to these posts and would love to see more conversations take place. That is helpful to us all. I invite you to look on the website at some of the strings of comments. I will also ask Yusef for answers to any questions you may have. www.guidancefromyusef.com
