God's peace and joy are mine.
When everything is going right this statement is easily recognizable as true. When things aren't going so great it's harder to grasp. I know that's because when things seem to be going a direction that's not comfortable it's easy to allow ego to head out on overdrive and replace love with fear.
I was feeling that way earlier this evening. Two super special people in my life are dealing with people they are closest to who are struggling with addictions. Our family has a pretty good grasp of dealing with addictions. However, only recently have we begun to embrace the spirituality necessary to free ourselves from our compulsions.
I can still occasionally feel my addictions, they are seated in the right side of my lower jaw. I know this may seem strange, but every now and then I can feel them physically pulsing there. It doesn't make me want to smoke a cigarette or drink a beer - I just recognize that they are there and I observe them without judgment.
When things are not going right, it can feel super frustrating to acknowledge that the universe is exactly as it's intended to be in that moment. That is such a huge statement when your heart feels broken or fear is consuming you. However, getting present in the moment is the key to calming fear and allowing love to return. If, in this moment, you feel fear:
Close your eyes,
take a deep breath,
take another deep, slow breath, and another,
place your awareness in your heart,
tell yourself, "I am a beautiful person, I am a worthy, strong, competent person. I am love." Keep breathing, slowly. Pay attention to your breath. See your breath as you inhale, as you exhale.
If that fear wells up again, do this exercise again, and again, and again. And remember, God's peace and joy are yours....
....And then it rained love and it looked, and smelled, and sounded, and tasted like flowers gliding on the wings of a summer breeze....
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