So faced with all these challenges I had to draw on all that I had learned.
I knew that the first thing I had to do was to make a choice.
Should I choose to sink into the drain-hole of anxiety and worry or should I choose to be optimistic and trust that the Universe would support and nurture me, which is one of my core beliefs. Ha! Time to put that to the test, right?
Easier said than done.
To allow the Universe to support me would be counter intuitive. It would mean giving up control when common sense dictated that I should get into action and do something!
But, I reminded myself, relinquishing control is the ultimate challenge of the Spiritual Warrior.
So I did two things. I learned to do these two things when I faced my first cancer diagnosis. They have been critical to my survival ever since.
One: Breathe! Focus on your breath. Clear your mind of everything else. Remind yourself that once you’re breathing you are alive. I have found that this calms me in quick time.
And two: Switch my thoughts to what is going right in my life. Funny how the first things that come into your mind are all that is wrong!
I have a fall back checklist to start me off here:
I still have a roof over my head
I have enough food to eat
I have enough money to survive for a while
I have all my faculties and many skills
There are people who will help me.
That usually makes me smile. So I go on for as long as I can with the list. Amazing how that changes the perspective…
Of course, all the above could only take me so far. Sometimes I struggled. Follow me on my journey as I learn to live in the Question Mark. More next week.
If you missed the first part of the story, go here:
https://thinkittalkit.com/
Photo credits: Deepak Chopra via Healthy Choice; N’Delamiko Bey; Brendan Burchard
Your Comments
Cheryl
Your story is an interesting combination of spirituality and belief. I’ve come to accept that they are interdependent phenomena.
I like the first image very much and the message conveyed that one floats when one stops struggling.
Many people ‘drown’ because they refuse (or don’t know how) to LEVITATE themselves.
From a quantitative perspective, I also like how you’ve reduced your challenges to ‘first principles’.
SWOT or SWAT ??? That’s the question
I look forward to next week’s episode
Boops
Thank you so much for the comments Boops…. and for your support!
Aunty
I love the concept….Living in the Question Mark. ….Living in Blind Faith….as Krishna always reminded me… Gratitude Gratitude Gratitude and surrender.
Such an amazing journey.
Thanks Richalene!
Absolutely right – Gratitude and Surrender are the two major paths that I am travelling.
I am applying this to a certain situation in my life! Thanks for teaching!
You are most welcome Pamela! Hope it works!!
I love this perspective. It certainly is not always easy to stay in that space, but I have found that it is always my best option. It also helps to remember that whatever happens, the universe knows I can handle it or the challenge would not have been set before me. So the tough stuff is kind of a backhanded compliment–but still a powerful concept.
Thanks Katy!
Love the concept of the back-handed compliment!