In the last couple of weeks, I’ve blogged about some topics that have brought up uncomfortable emotions for me. When we look at situations that we want to change or we wish were different, feelings of anger, sadness, powerlessness, fear, anxiety, or maybe even despair and hopelessness can arise. We may be feeling a call to action or the desire to just crawl into bed and go numb. We may chastise ourselves for having emotions that are considered negative–maybe even bad–and we may feel compelled to get rid of them or maybe even deny their existence. Or, we may feel the need to hold onto some of these emotions to help propel us into action. So what do we do when strong emotions and thoughts such as these come up?
Yesterday, I read the fourth spiritual law–The Law of Least Effort–in The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success by Deepak Chopra and it seemed so appropriate in light of all the feelings and thoughts I’ve been experiencing this month. According to Deepak Chopra, we can take a lesson from nature and “do less and accomplish more.” As Deepak explains, “Nature’s intelligence functions effortlessly, frictionlessly, spontaneously. Least effort is expended when your actions are motivated by love, because nature is held together by the energy of love.”
The Law of Least Effort has three components–”three things we can do to put this principle of ‘do less and accomplish more’ into action.”
The first is ACCEPTANCE. This means that we make a commitment that “today I will accept people, situations, circumstances, and events as they occur.” It is accepting and acknowledging that each and every moment–this moment–is as it should be. When we’re feeling anxious or upset by a person or situation, we need to remember that we’re reacting to our feelings about that situation or person–our feelings rather than the person or event itself.
The second component is RESPONSIBILITY. This means that we don’t blame anyone or anything for what has occurred–this includes not blaming ourselves. When we are free from blaming and we accept the “as is” situation, then we have space to develop a creative response to the current situation. All situations that we see as problems contain the opportunity for us to transform them into something better and more beneficial for all. That is taking responsibility.
The last component is DEFENSELESSNESS. This means letting go of the need to convince others or persuade them to see things our way. We waste a lot of energy when we’re trying to convince others about our points of view. Being defensive, blaming others and not accepting and surrendering to the moment creates a lot of resistance in our lives and prevents us from being fully present.
When we’re able to be fully present and become one with the present moment, then we start to feel free and joyful. Whatever we want or desire is from a level of happiness rather than a place of fear or anxiety. We intend what we want rather than justifying or defending our desires. So, for me, this means that I don’t give up my intentions and my vision for how I would like things to be. I still focus on health and wellness and a healthy and vibrant planet. But, as I focus my intention, I am able to be grateful for life AS IT IS today and I remain open to possibilities, opportunities and others’ ideas.
So, for today, I am grateful and joyful and I pause right here and now to really feel that. Ahhhh….
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