The gift of perception. How a situation is perceived drastically affects the way it is handled. It’s also very easy to get trapped into the idea that everything has to be ‘solved’ instead of allowing things to take a natural course and unfold in ways that often make the learning much easier.

 

There has been a pretty significant challenge that I have been facing lately. Any effort that I made to “solve” the situation only seemed to fuel the fire and make things more intense and chafing. Now that I have chosen to allow the challenge to be seen from a different perspective, I have a feeling of liberation. I don’t feel so burdened by what has taken place. I can now direct my attention, intention and energy on me.

 

The situation afforded me the opportunity to take in some of the exchanges and be a witness to what has transpired and learn from it. Standing back as a witness allows for a fresh perspective without taking things personally and to be honest about BOTH sides of the situation. There are elements of truth presented on both sides, all viewed from the eye of the beholder. Exploring a situation and being curious about it releases the need to be ‘right’ and allows a greater detachment from expecting a certain outcome. These are both traps that perpetuate the cycle and keep the challenge as a struggle.

 

A very fascinating awareness also came out of this challenge. I realized how much I was ignoring my own inner knowing. There has been discomfort and awkwardness for a long period of time, but I felt that I needed to stay present and not desert someone who was in need of support. However, there is a need to set boundaries and put myself first. It sounds very self-centered to put myself first, yet that is the way to make sure I am listening to myself and honoring my own needs. I can still support people in need without sacrificing my own well-being or the integrity of my beliefs. This seems to be a regular life lesson for many, myself included. Somebody else’s pain, wounding, struggles, etc. do not give them permission to mistreat me or talk to me like I am to blame. It is a lesson that took me longer than I would’ve imagined (there’s ego attachment to an outcome!!) to allow to sink into my heart, but I have now lived the result of doing so and know that I have continued courage to choose me over and over again. And it feels remarkably empowering.

 

In this process, I made choices that seemed quite difficult (at the time) to release the attachments and be free. Again, living the results is all I needed. It was an added bonus to receive the encouragement and support from my husband.

 

The challenge that was a problem to be solved really did become a rich opportunity for me to evolve. I have been able to strengthen my courage muscle, having even greater faith in choosing me regardless of what it looks like. Nothing is more awful than deserting my Self and there is not room in my life for that.

 

I choose me.

 

I choose love.

 

I choose courage.

Posted in Courage, Love