Dealing with responsibilities and difficulties

We all go through good and bad stuff and there are times when everything is going well, followed by periods of challenges and difficulties.

I know people who stuff unopened and unpaid bills in a drawer, ignore calls from collectors and even the signs that something is amiss - perhaps their marriage or their kid´s addiction - which requires immediate action.

I have learned that ignoring a physical symptom may result in a life-threatening situation. Men, for instance, are not more macho because they refuse to go to the doctor for chest pain, especially if they have people who love and depend on them.   

I have also learned that everything from parking tickets to credit debt is better dealt with as soon as possible. Postponing implies living in fear of having to face it sooner or later. Of course there are people who are ok with that but in the end it all catches up with them and then they lament their bad luck or  blame it on others.

What difficulties, challenges or responsibilities have you dealt with up until now? Which have you not resolved yet? What are you going to do about it?

I can guarantee that no matter how tough it is, from being unable to pay the mortgage to asking for an extension to file your taxes or negotiate a speeding ticket – some specially common and irritating examples – if you face issues as they arise, you will feel much relief.

When you have no unfinished business, you can focus your energy, time and attention to the things that really matter to you. In fact, you are more free when you face your responsibilities.

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On Ho'Oponopono or Being Responsible and Forgiving

If you are interested in feeling lighter of spirit and heart, clearing yourself of resentments and inner turmoil, taking responsibility for how you feel, finding closure and moving on, then Ho´Oponopono may be for you!

You can find more about it in Wikipedia, or by googling it.

This is based on an ancient Hawaian practice of reconciliation and forgiveness that was carried out as a family or a community when there were ill feelings amongst them. They believed that feeling grudges and anger, for instance, made the body ill.

I´m not Hawaiian or ancient (yet!), but I know that when I am angry or resentful I don´t feel as good and don´t look as pretty. I also know that it is unlikely that others will stop behaving in the way that makes me angry and resentful, on demand. So I adhere to the Ho´Oponopono method of taking responsibility for how I feel, regardless of others. The only person I can do something about is me.

We don´t see things the way they are, say the followers of this ancient practice; we see them the way we are. I knew that before I read about Ho´Oponopono, so that makes it that much easier to absorb.

In order to clear yourself of ill feelings, says the simplistic approach to this method, you must follow the following four steps, over and over. And, according to many, it works. 

I’ve heard of more far-fetched ideas than this, so why not give it a try. If it works, it works, and if not, at least your mind is busy with nice thoughts instead of brooding.

When you are feeling out of sorts, angry, upset, sad, repeat the following phrases mentally.

1.- I’m sorry (You are saying this to the Divine, to a Higher Power, or whatever you believe in)

2.- Please forgive me (Assuming responsibility for your part in the feeling or event)

3.- Thank you (Letting go of the ill feeling)

4.- I love you (Letting in love and loving yourself and others)

Even if you don’t do this, the simple act of acknowledging that we are responsible for how we feel and that we have no control over other people, places or things, and doing our best to see the best in people or at least understand where they are coming from makes for a much lighter heart.

When I was a lot younger I knew how to bear a grudge and my heart was heavy. As time passes, my heart feels lighter and life gets better. Nothing has changed on the outside. It's all in the eyes of the beholder. 

What a better time to start this practice than right before the holidays! I wish you peace ... 

www.lorrainecladish.com

You are a Success When ...

When you are clear about your life-purpose, when you are on track and have fulfilling relationships, goals and you do what it takes to achieve them, you are a success.

When you stop blaming others, stop hanging on to the past and stop reveling in your misery, you are a success.

When you recognize that you need professional help in some area of your life and take full responsibility for it, you are a success.

When your life is so full that you have no time for pettiness, you are a success. 

We are not victims of our circumstances or even of other people. We are successful when we are able to rise from adversity, when we are able to stop pointing fingers and stop hoping that others will change.

Be the change you want to see. 

In the end, life is what you make of it.

Are you a success?

www.lorrainecladish.com