Whom Do I Want With Me on the Path?

Hello. I haven’t had many interesting insights lately, until last week. I was reading an email from a longtime friend about her expected Thanksgiving dinner tussle with family. When I read, “I’m not going to stress anymore cause I know I have no control in this sitch and they have to work it out…” my heart sang! She's getting it!

Letting go of what you can’t control is a very important step towards claiming peace and power. (She had a lovely time, by the way)

She suggested that I write a blog about family and the holidays, how they are supposed to bring family together, not pull them apart. It was a good idea, but what came to me instead was not your relationship with your family, but what’s your relationship with yourself?

I think of life as a journey along a winding path; in my case within a lightly forested area but it can just as easily be along an open highway or even through a busy mall. Doesn’t matter…what matters is whom do I want to accompany me along that trail? Would I welcome myself as a traveling companion? Am I easygoing & enjoyable or drama-trauma focused? It's easy to get caught up in that swirl of chaos...sometimes it feels kinda exciting! But how does it leave me feeling?

I remember watching an old Kung Fu TV episode when David Carridine’s character was caught in a cave with a fearsome dragon. He told the dragon (paraphrasing here) that he knew it was a figment of his imagination and he wasn’t going to let it get him or his power. After a bit of concentration, the dragon vanished! Wow, I was so impressed!

To me, it was evidence of having some influence over things that may seem outside of our control. True, they may not change as quickly as within an hour TV show, but I've found that what you focus on and send your energy to does determine outcome to a significant degree.

Do I want to focus on turmoil, gloom and doom or glorious, light and love filled experiences? The decision is mine and mine alone! Yes, there may be some unpleasant things happen, but shall they claim ALL of my attention or do I note it, deal with it if need be, and move on to something more cheerful and fulfilling? Only I can decide where to aim my gaze.

I can also decide how I wish to react and respond to others, but know I can't control them any more than I wish them to control me. Which is not at all!!

I realize this, usually, and repeat it to myself (over & over) when I do wish to control someone near & dear to me (for their own good, of course). Yes, this still happens and I have to be OK with that, too; none of us are perfect.

But, even though I'm not even close to being perfect, I still have so much to be thankful for. To me, that’s a gift that I’m grateful to understand. It’s been a long time coming, and there’s still much to learn...but I’m getting there! And loving every step.

Hope everyone had a lovely Thanksgiving, but if not, there's always next year. Or tomorrow, to enjoy your lovely day.....or what about right now!

Hope everyone had a lovely Thanksgiving, but if not, there's always next year. Or tomorrow, to enjoy your lovely day.....or what about right now!

Love, Peace and Light

Barbara