You Could Choose Peace Instead

It is the natural order for seasons to change. This is true on a macro scale in weather systems, and on a micro scale on our soul’s journey. Life is a constant ebb and flow, and it is useless to fight against the tides. Spirit often reminds us, when we are in a difficult season, that it is simply a part of the process of change and growth.

I read the Tarot, a divination system based on universal archetypes, which can be used to see the momentum of a person’s life. The Tarot consists of many archetypes that are challenging and even represent the darker aspects of the human experience.  However, these experiences are not ‘bad’ or ‘wrong.’

Too often people will get a challenging message from the Tarot and they will immediately freak out. However, all of life is meant to be embraced and we all have the ability to transcend even the most challenging of obstacles.

There are two primary factors that decrease the severity of the challenges we face in life. The first is acceptance and the second is responsibility.

Becoming ‘stressed out’ over our circumstances cannot resolve the challenges we are facing. We must accept where we are and understand that we cannot change the past. We have no power over the things that led us to this moment, or to these challenges.  The only thing we can do is accept the circumstances and understand that we are the only ones that have the power to make changes in our life.

We fight too many battles that don’t matter. If that battle is not between you and your destiny, then it’s a distraction. You have to learn to let things go ~ Joel Osteen

This leads to the second attribute that can help us rapidly overcome challenges, namely taking personal responsibility.  From a metaphysical perspective every though that we think, and every word that we speak, is constantly shaping our world and our experiences. Nearly every spiritual teacher has spoken of how we contribute to both our positive experiences and negative experiences.

Sometimes people shy away from personal responsibility, because they equate responsibility with blame. Personal responsibility is not about blame. In fact, placing blame is the opposite of personal responsibility! This includes blaming ourselves, as well as blaming others for our current life experiences.

We can certainly coast our way through challenging experiences, however, this is not advisable. If we do not change the patterns that caused the challenges to begin with, then we will likely create those same challenges as we move forward.

A more peaceful way to live is to decide consciously which battles are worth fighting and which are better left alone…If you don’t want to ‘sweat the small stuff,’ it’s critical that you choose your battles wisely ~ Richard Carlson

Therefore, personal responsibility is an integral part of transcending challenges, because we accept that karma (cause and effect) has created this circumstance and through this situation we are being given the opportunity to choose again. To choose love, instead of fear. To choose peace, instead of chaos. To choose joy, instead of rigidity.

How we handle the seasons of our life makes a world of difference. A Course In Miracles features a simple meditative mantra for this purpose: “I could choose peace, instead of this.”  I have a sign on display, next to my office desk, that states this. I also have one in my car.  It is amazing how just that little statement can transform a challenging situation into limitless potential and opportunity. I recommend using it in every season.