Ever have a bad day? I seemed to have one today until I began to be willing see through the series of mounting problems to the very beautiful gift hidden within. Because, wrapped in the ribbons of stresses and emotions, lay hidden the lesson of transcending the pain. I realized that such days can be turned around within ourselves, or at least survived with a bit of peace, dignity and maybe even a smile. This is one way of finding the oasis in the desert... First, we must remember that we have experienced worse and that we survived those experiences. Realize that you now often laugh at what once seemed utterly hopeless. If you cant laugh at it yet, know that like all others whove taken birth on this planet, you will soon. In other words, Pain Fades. Next, let go of control. Try not to manipulate the day or force it or the people in your life to become something they may not. Do not resist the lessons of this day. Accept the great life lessons hidden beneath all the stress, sorrows and shocks. We admit and accept that we are hurt, that we may have lost or erred. We admit and accept. Thats it. Thats often enough. If the above was a struggle, then we just keep it simple and no matter what happens, avoid two traps; Self-Victimization, and Self-Pity. When we begin to think of ourselves as victims of fate, God, or the world, we surrender that part of ourselves which has the potential to see the problems as survivable. When wallowing in self-pity and asking, why me? we see ourselves as small an incapable of dealing with the issues, surviving, and learning from the pain. In essence, we forget that what hurts, instructs. We become smaller and weaker than we actually are. Finally, we remember than it is not through joy that we grow. But it is through pain and suffering that we see ourselves connected intricately to every single living being on this earth, past and present. We have a choice to practice Non-Harm and compassion to all others in the midst of our pain. And in choosing the path of mercy and empathy we instantly rise about our limiting human frailties and shortcomings. We are crowned with dignity and grace. If compassion is difficult, we practice silence. Mounam Vibhushanam Apanditanaam, or Silence is the crown jewel of the ignorant. in other words, if we have nothing positive or worthy to contribute, we keep quiet and do not prove our pettiness. Or, if we cannot help, we at least do not harm. (The Dalai Llama). We strive to be gracious. We understand deeply that pain is inevitable but suffering is an option. Growth, realization and strength are the potential blessings that we may gain from our bad days. What is needed is not perspective and wisdom. What is need is the desire for growth and the willingness to bear discomfort. All of our sorrows come from our inability to bear discomfort in any form. Willingness and openness brings to the surface our most invincible and powerful strengths, which, without the embrace of the occasional bad day, would have been hidden forever. Just as we wonder how to practice all of this...we see the sun of a new day rise and realize...the worst is over and we have endured!
Posted on: Thu, 16 Jan 2014 18:05:10 +0000
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