Saturday, February 5, 2011

Is that so?


A favorite teaching story is one that tells about a wise man, known and respected across his land. He is wrongly accused of a terrible act, given a difficult challenge, and robbed of the most valuable things in his life, including his reputation. With each event that happens, each horrible circumstance, his response is simply "Is that so?" delivered without emotion. His behavior is an example of not being attached to the outcome - not depending on things going the way you planned for your sense of peace and OK-ness.

What would that be like? To accept life as it comes to you without going into drama? To simply do what needs to be done, to be the best you can be in that moment, to direct your energy toward what you CAN control. Reflecting back on circumstances in my life, both personal and career, it is obvious that the energy wasted on emotional reactions did not take me anywhere. It would have been nice to be able to say, "Is that so?" and use my energies to move forward.

I'm not suggesting for a moment that all feelings should be squelched. Feelings are Truth and are a source of a tremendous amount of creative power.  What does not serve is being stuck in the mire of ranting and raving about the injustice, the awfulness of whatever has happened - loss of a job, not getting to the goal, being treated unfairly or rudely. Feel it, and then CHOOSE your response. My current practice is to say, "What is ... is. What ain't ... ain't. What are my choices right now?"

Take Charge - Get Moving!
Love and light,
Diane