“Happiness is a continuation of happenings which are not resisted.” Deepak Chopra
How you feel is a choice. I know, believe me I know, choosing to be happy is not always the easiest choice especially when you have evidence that appears to prove why you shouldn’t be (there’s that “should” word again).
My car didn’t start on the way to an important meeting, I got a flat tire on a dark highway around midnight, my basement flooded with ankle high water after a big rain storm… All things I couldn’t change, but I could decide how I responded to them. I didn’t resist.
My beloved cat died, a very good friend moved across the country, the man I loved deeply broke up with me…. all things I couldn’t change, but I could decide how to respond to them.
Sure, I couldn’t pop right into happiness (I’m not suggesting you can either). There is a gift in feeling your emotions. For me, crying is like putting my Soul through a car wash – we’re given tears for a reason. Once I allowed the emotion to express itself I could then move forward with how I wanted to feel. Also, resisting the emotion that is desiring to be expressed can cause depression, anxiety, and pain.
When we resist we block the effortless flow of other things in our lives – love, money, creativity, freedom, joy…
So, try this next time you’re having a rough day… Ask yourself:
- “Is this mine?” – sometimes we pick up other peoples ‘stuff’ that isn’t ours
- “Is it true?” – our ego will create stories in our minds to keep us locked in fear
- “Can I absolutely know that it’s true?” – step outside of it and see from another view
- “How do I react, what happens, when I believe that thought?” – do you feel good? How do you want to feel?
- “Who would you be without the thought?” – no longer a victim? Someone in their power? Who do you want to be?
(some questions from Byron Katie’s “The Work”)
How you feel is a choice. What will you choose?