Three Steps to Emotional Buoyancyin the world of Covid-19~ Step Two: Rise Above ~

There is an ancient Cherokee legend teaching about two wolves within each person that fight to rule our life. One is full of fear, rage, greed, superiority and evil doings. The other is goodness, compassion, love, grace, wisdom and positive doings. The essence of the legend teaches the wolf that wins the fight is the one you feed.

I’m sure you have noticed humanity is living more divided than ever. Media allows people to play out emotional hit and runs. It is easy to throw a jab online and then run and hide behind a screen without any real and meaningful conversations to get to the bottom of real issues.

The forefathers said it best, “United we stand; Divided we fall.” 

First, I just want to say that I get the stress of this. It is not easy to live in a world where technological advancements are growing at a faster rate than our collective emotional intelligence is. 

If you look at the emotional development of society as a whole, we are seeing a trend of black and white thinking and low maturity levels. I’m sure you have noticed: Arguing versus integrating, lashing out versus helping things go right, shock humor winning the ratings, people aching for connection and community and fearing it at the same time, being quick to judge versus understand or some people just feel like a victim to it all so they do nothing. 

It is no wonder we feel overwhelmed and then COVID just became the straw that broke the camel’s back for many.

It is completely normal to feel anxious and upset when things are out of balance in many areas. Deep down we know there is a better way. Deep down we want to contribute to things going right. Deep down, we are ready for positive change. 

As we reviewed last week, it is hard to access that part of ourselves, the part that is wise, calm and knowing when we are under stress. To help maintain access we must rise above the BS going on. When we rise above we see clearly and solutions become evident. 

The quickest way to get pulled down is seeing life through the eyes of judgement, both ours and others. Judgments cloud reality and keep us tethered to illusions. Judgments are based on assumptions, many of which are tricks of the ego and are not solution based. 

This week I invite you to go on a judgment fast.

It is time for solutions…
Not more illusions.

A Course in Miracles teaches how destructive judgments their illusions are. Illusions are easily overlooked because they appear and feel very real. The good news is that they disappear once their roots are exposed. 

Judgment fast guidelines:

1. Notice the symptoms. These include: tension, anger, anxiety.
2. Validate your current experience (not the judgement) with some good ol’ fashioned compassion. Ex: “Of course I feel this way, I want people to get along.” Or, “Of course I feel angry. The world is suffering and I’m ready for it to stop.” Validation of the experience feeds the wolf of peace within and calms the nervous system allowing us to rise above and move into illusion.
3. Next, ask yourself, “What am I believing about this situation?” Write down any beliefs. “Which of these assumptions?” Cross off any assumptions. With remaining beliefs ask yourself, “What is a more loving perspective?”  Write down your answers. Rise above! 

Get rid of assumptions
     to feel refreshed.
Get rid of the judgments 
     to see life unmeshed.
Step out of illusions,
      they lead to more stress and delusions. 
Look at life through the eyes of love
      and you shall rise above.