In spite of yesterday’s blog extolling the virtues of living in the shiny new moment of now and of not reliving my yesterdays, sometimes bits of the past come flying up unexpectedly and hurl themselves in front of my face screaming for attention. So much for peace of mind. Hagotcha! Darn. I thought I was over that. Maybe not, else why would it reappear? Is this another test?
Well, so here’s the good news—at least these nagging bedevilments are making themselves known so that I can decide whether or not to address them or just shovel them back down into the dirt out of sight, out of mind. But if allowed free rein, they just keep coming up again. And again. Shall I listen up and pay attention, or shall I get out the shovel? My choice.
In the midst of my most recent in-your-face confrontation with the ego, I had a peek through the window of my soul and could see how easy it is to allow despair and depression to take control and cloud judgment. In my role as a witness I could clearly observe myself in a head-to-head conflict over which aspect of myself would win the battle—the ego, or the Self.
Let me just say—I do not like conflict. Conflict in any form, either with myself or another person makes me want to turn and run the other way. Yep—I admit it. I’m a coward. If I pull the ostrich act and don’t see it, I won’t have to deal with it. But if there is no facing it, there is no resolving it. Obviously, it won’t just magically disappear itself because it will just come up. Again.
The quest for personal growth presents moments such as these. It means mustering up the willingness and courage to confront anything that stands in the way of achieving the bliss of a peaceful mind. Yes, sometimes it brings up issues that I’d rather not deal with, but the struggle is worth the reward of awakening to the yearning of the Soul that wishes for nothing more than to bestow the gift of joy.
These days, when I am rudely awakened by past memories and unhappy thoughts that trigger old wounds, I take my own advice and remind myself to be grateful for the recognition that there is something within me that needs my loving attention. I ask for help with forgiveness and pray for the release of anything that no longer serves to bring me closer to my Self, my Soul. It is safe to take my head out of the sand and breathe freely because conflict has evaporated. No longer must I learn through suffering and struggle, for that path has been transformed into one of joy.
Ah. Blessed relief. Now I am back in the shiny new moment of now.
Note: The photo above is courtesy of New Waves of Light, a website designed by anonymous individuals around the world who share the intention of bringing light and love to a world of darkness and chaos. (newwavesoflight.org or NWOL.us).