No matter what the details of a situation you are facing, it comes down to seeing that there are two sides to every coin. Looking at things from this viewpoint recently has allowed me to get very clear in…very short order. It reminds me I have a choice and that there is always another side to consider. In the end, I get to choose which view to take ~ and my goal is to choose the one that empowers me, educates me or inspires me.
In yesterday’s blog about rituals, for example, I noted there are two ways to experience ritual. One is an event or action you create to help you center, relax or reconnect. The other side of this is when ritual becomes unconscious it can turn into a habit…something that is a ‘have to’ which is an experience that will drain your energy.
You can either be “pounding the pavement” or “tripping the light, fantastic.” The weather can be cloudy with some sun or sunny with a few clouds. There is no question on some days it takes more energy to choose the up side. And it’s not about being pollyana. It is just the matter of choosing your response. Let’s be real and recognize some situations like a chronic illness diagnosis, the loss of a job and other major life changing moments have times and days that are simply and honestly tough.
In those cases, there is still the option to succumb or choose to find a way to overcome it. Keeping your core values and your goals front and center can help you inspire yourself to deal with the tough stuff. Asking for support or help is another tool that can fuel you to make the most out of whatever you are facing.
So the next time a situation threatens to take you off course or deplete your energy, remember the visual of the two sided coin and ask yourself how you can choose the side that will serve you most.