There’s been several people whom I love dearly that are dealing with a variety of challenges. Some are big enough to bring them to their knees. Others are more of an annoyance, but still disturbing their peace.
Now I’m absolutely certain there isn’t a person reading this who hasn’t had a life without challenges.
Even if you’re a 3-year old reading this because you have mad reading skills! And if that’s you, please tell your parents to email me. Heck, you could probably just email me yourself!
Sorry, my ridiculous attempt at humor was challenging me so I took it on.
I’m also certain that at any point during a particular challenge there has been some suffering involved. Raise your hand if you are with me!
Thank you! I’d feel a little inadequate if I were the only one.
Challenges Don’t equal suffering
What I’ve learned, is that having a challenge doesn’t necessarily mean suffering has to be part of the equation. In fact, the stories we tell ourselves about our challenges is where the suffering arises from, not the challenge itself.
The challenge just is. And when we’re willing to release any negative stories about the challenge, there’s an availability in us that wasn’t there, before.
We become available to experience the peace inside the challenge. I know, I know, I can hear you saying, “If you knew my challenge right now, Linda, you would realize peace does not exist inside of it!”
I hear you loud and clear. I’ve been there. And I’ve also been witness to the peace inside my challenges as I became more quiet inside. Because of this, I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, you can, too.
Waiting In Peace
The peace inside the challenge supports you in being able to make decisions of right action. Or even no action, if that’s what feels most peaceful in the moment.
You see, you don’t always have to take immediate action. In fact, I have experienced many times, that when I don’t know what to do in the midst of a challenge, especially the big ones, I do nothing other than reach for my peace. Sometimes that can take a bit, I’m not gonna lie.
Besides, that would be a bad example for the 3-year old reading this.
What blows me away, though, is how often doing nothing, and choosing to be at peace with what is, the challenge miraculously transforms. It either completely disappears or I feel a nudge to take an action that works beautifully. In those moments, I’m reminded there’s a much Greater Intelligence at work than anything my little mind could figure out.
Choosing to stay in the present moment with your challenge and not go beyond, makes it easier to calm your mind.
In that calmer state, you’re making space for the peace that always waits with loving patience to show its presence, once again.
