CULTIVATE YOUR INNER WISDOM AND WATCH YOUR LIFE GET MUCH BETTER!

Mary is seething in frustration while sitting in her smashed-up car. She was minutes away from boarding a flight to sunny Florida when…

a driver blindsided her by swiftly pulling out in front of her. “Thank you, driver! No blinker, no hand signal, no gradual change of lanes. You possess impeccable manners! You ruined my trip, you reckless jerk!” Mary mutters under her breath. Mary’s much-needed vacation plans were dashed, and here she was, filling out a police report.

Mary’s anger continues to build. She finds out the other driver doesn’t have car insurance and lies to the police officer that they used their blinker with sufficient notification. Mary says scornfully to herself, “Right, sufficient notification. This is Earth, you jerk, not outer space; we don’t travel at the speed of light, but apparently you think we do.”

Mary cancels her flight but wasn’t offered a refund.

It’s now early evening and Mary has just arrived home. Exhausted, she plops herself down in her favorite comfy chair. She hopes to chill. Upon sitting, she hears the crickets chirping, which she hopes will soothe her. But then the unexpected happens. “AAAHHH!!!” Mary begins to screech at the top of her lungs. “That thoughtless driver! I could be in sunny Florida now!” Mary continues to scream hysterically at the top of her lungs for what seems like an eternity. Eventually, Mary falls to the floor and starts to cry an endless stream of tears.

After a while the tears die down and Mary experiences another unexpected surprise: a profound silence. Mary feels a deep sense of peace. Mary feels a blissful emptiness, as if all the chaos in her mind and body were completely released.

Mary continues to lie on the floor in utter bliss and astonishment. Eventually she sits up and tells herself, “I feel great!” She laughs, feeling a little embarrassed, yet grateful to feel so renewed. “Wow, I really needed that! I haven’t felt this peaceful in a long time.”

Mary makes her way to the bathroom to shower. While the water rushes over her, she reflects, “That was pretty intense. I didn’t realize how much stress had built up inside me. Work has been really stressful and the car accident was the straw that broke the camel’s back.”

Mary decides that she needs to pay more attention to signs of stress buildup and commits to a daily practice of breathing exercises to calm her. Mary declares to herself, “I’ll do this a few minutes every morning, noon, and night. I’m not ready for any lengthy meditative practice. Short and sweet is a good start.”

“What else can help me?” Mary asks herself. Mary decides that exploring a broader perspective to this situation and future ones could help. She thinks to herself, “Well, it wasn’t cancer or a job loss. I just had my car smashed up and missed a vacation. This is nothing in the larger scheme of things. Not a dead end, just a detour. Thank you, God! Yes, gratitude! It does go a long way! I feel so much better!”

The following day Mary finishes up the insurance paperwork and rents a car. Throughout the day she reflects, feeling a little surprised by her meltdown. “I’m so glad the neighbors were out of town! I don’t think they would have appreciated my high opera!” Mary laughs sheepishly to herself.

Mary decides to call her sister, Ellen, and tells her the whole story. Ellen says compassionately, “Look Mary, that’s a pretty normal reaction given all the stress you have been under at work! I know how much that vacation meant to you and at the last minute, just before the exit to the airport, it was pulled out from under your feet.” Ellen pauses and then continues, “ Mary…” “Yes, Ellen…” Mary replies, a little nervously. “I have to tell you something.” Ellen states firmly yet gently, “You rarely offer yourself compassion. You are always about getting the task done or helping others, but what about you? What about YOU, Mary?” Mary starts to cry. She knows Ellen is right. Mary replies quaveringly, “I need to take care of myself.” Ellen gently responds, “I love you Mary, and want the best for you.”

After the call, Mary reflects on her sister’s words, “I need to offer myself more compassion rather than always pushing myself to do more. I’m human and have been overly stressed. My meltdown was a normal reaction to my circumstances.” Mary’s insight fills her with a deep feeling of calm and joy.

A few days later…

Mary finds a good deal on a flight and decides to enjoy a long weekend in Florida. While there, she walks along the beach, and reads a book on wisdom, focusing on the components of perspective, gratitude, compassion and calm. Mary decides to incorporate wisdom into her daily life. “I’ll call this my wisdom practice.” Mary tells herself. By the end of the weekend Mary feels like a new person but the skeptic in her still wonder how she will feel once she returns to her normal life.

Two years later…

Mary continued her wisdom practice, taking a few minutes each day to cultivate perspective, gratitude, compassion and calm. “Just a few small action steps have made such a positive difference in my life!” Mary exclaims. “Of course I have my bad days, but I handle them much better. I changed my perspective and attitude about my work, which helped me find ways to effectively handle my responsibilities and set boundaries. Embracing wisdom is the best thing I’ve ever done! I’m a sage unto myself!”

One night at home, Mary hears a faint, screeching voice coming from down the street. Though barely audible, Mary clearly hears a loud, deep, and painful expression. Mary is transported back in time to that meltdown moment that changed her life. Mary sends a prayer to the person in agony, hoping this will be a turning point for her too.

Life can take us by surprise, creating strong and unwanted emotions. Through a daily wisdom practice, you can learn to improve how you handle situations.

REFLECTION

Are you interested in exploring the deep wisdom within you in order to better handle life’s challenges?

See below for guidance on beginning a wisdom practice.

1. CHOOSE A RELAXING ACTIVITY.

• Choose one that feels right to you!

• Aim to do it daily or at least weekly.

• Consider doing breathing exercises for stress relief, even if for a few minutes each day.

Your relaxing activity will help you develop a positive and flexible mindset.

2. CONSIDER DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES.

When you are in a challenging situation or just want to see a situation in a new way, ask yourself, “What is another way to look at this?”

A flexible mindset helps you see more possibilities and solve problems.

3. OFFER YOURSELF COMPASSION.

Remind yourself that you are human, a work in progress. You don’t have to be perfect in how you respond to situations. Aim to learn from them and then let go! This perspective will take pressure off yourself and help you feel better!

4. ALLOW GRATITUDE TO GUIDE YOUR DAILY MOMENTS.

Remind yourself daily what you are grateful for. Keep this in mind as you go about your day. Embracing gratitude will play a large role in shifting you into a positive mindset.

5. KNOW WHERE TO FIND YOUR WISDOM PLAN!

Consider putting your plan wherever you will see it often. For example, if you work often at your computer you may wish to put a note near your computer.

6. WATCH YOUR LIFE IMPROVE!

You will gradually notice yourself living from a perspective of wisdom- handling life’s challenges more effectively.

Blessings!

Marcie