“Remember that what you now have was once among the things you hoped for.” — Epicurus
We have become attached to the when, what, where and how of our personal outcome in this life’s journey. For whatever reason we feel logical in this moment, not attaining pre-ordained goals, accolades, achievements, specific levels of success, advancement, or expected remuneration is almost mandatory for recognition. Or is it? Where did these ideas originate that we have become so ingrained with outcome and not process or style over substance? In being committed to the when, what, where, and how of our journey, we often forget the most important component of this list, we left out . . . who. Unless and until we become aware of who we are, the rest is an exercise in acquiring that which brings more disillusionment, frustration and misdirection. Where you are right now and what you have, as exists in the quote above, was once what you hoped for many, many years ago. Joel Goldsmith expresses it another way . . . “You may well begin right here and now by realizing that the secret to having anything is first attaining the consciousness of it. Consciousness creates home, companionship, supply, employment, health . . .”
The trick that is vital to each of us, is getting beyond what we might have been indoctrinated to achieve, without collapsing our lives or bankrupting our existence. Getting out of our own way is not easy, especially when we’re not sure exactly how to master the process. First recognizing what might be blocking our way is a positive step as Khalis Gibran states . . . “I have learned silence from the talkative, toleration from the intolerant and kindness from the unkind, yet, strange, I am grateful to those teachers.” We resist re-alignment on any level, especially when those lessons are beyond difficult as they challenge the very essence of our being. However, when looking at any dialogue, interaction, or failure as opportunities for growth on every level, the energy of perception and perspective completely changes.
Change is not easy for anyone, it never has been and it will continue to bring disruption to what we believe is a well ordered life. When we finally realize, understand and accept that our lives are and shall always exist in constant flux, it clarifies these words of Ram Dass . . . “Everything changes once we identify with being the witness to the story, instead of the actor in it.” Once we understand that concept, the energy involving the consciousness of our being shifts, and becomes a clarifying prism of unimaginable possibilities. At that point we may better understand this quote from Science of Mind, “The gates of heaven are open. We are on the threshold but we refuse to enter.” JLR