Are You Resisting Life?

In today's uncertain times, it is easy to understand why you might feel yourself moving into resistance. Resistance may stem from fear and anxiety, but in many cases it comes as a very familiar, knee-jerk reaction to change. But life only gets more complicated when you resist "what is." Many times something that could be handled quite simply, and to your benefit, gets blown out of proportion due to your own resistance. And when you resist, you often miss easy solutions or opportunities that are being brought to you. (Yes, even today you are surrounded by wonderful opportunities!)

Resisting "what is" is futile. It looks a lot like you trying to push a huge building over with your bare hands. You are able to do nothing against that which you are fighting. But in the meantime, you wind up tired, bruised, and sometimes in real pain. Even if you gather all your friends to help you push down the building, you still have no impact on it whatsoever. Now you just have a bunch of friends who are tired and cranky too! When you practice accepting "what is" on the other hand, you maintain your alignment with the Divine, feel a great sense of relief, and have greater access to your energy and creativity.

You may not even be conscious that you are resisting "what is," so it may be helpful to take a moment and consider what you are resisting in your life right now. And, when you do resist, what does your reaction look like? Anger? Attack? Withdrawal? Procrastination? Denial? ______? Perhaps things like alcohol, chips, or ice cream start disappearing from your house? Once you know your triggers and habitual responses, you can feel good about spotting them in your daily life. In addition to identifying when and how you resist, it's also helpful to know what your new approach will be; without a new strategy, you could fall back into your old patterns.

So what can you do when you become aware you are resisting? My first suggestion is to BREATHE slowly and deeply for at least a few breaths! Then ask yourself one or more of the following questions:nn- How is this situation perfect for me?
- What is the gift in this situation?
- How can this opportunity best serve me?
- If this is a stepping stone to something better, what might it be leading me to?

Even though you may not have "good" answers to the above questions, simply asking the questions helps you receive the opportunities and insights that do surface over time.

If all else fails, simply look at the impact all your pushing is having on "the wall" you are fighting against. Is your resistance serving you? (Your resistance is serving you in some way, at some level, or you wouldn't be doing it. But when you CONSCIOUSLY consider the life you WISH TO LIVE, is it really serving you?)

It is a well-worn, comfortable path for many of us to resist "what is." Be gentle with yourself, and know that in the beginning you may not catch yourself every time you slip into resistance. That's OK. If you take a lighthearted approach in discovering your resistance, you will be much more likely to build new patterns of behavior. And don't forget your ever-present connection with the Divine--ask for help!