Making Life Work

First, consider the physical principle, which is quite easy to describe since it is solidly visible and largely understood. Underneath the heading of the physical, there are three basic subcategories:

The second principle of life is the emotional. Your whole person reacts to all that you experience based on your understanding of self and others. From our parents, our teachers, our religious leaders, we have heard that there is some wondrous plateau we can reach where our life comes into total balance. This is truly a lovely thought but not the truth of life. Parents who are consciously in tune would explain to you that all there is in life is change, and that those people who learn to change gracefully are the most successful and emotionally balanced.

The logic in not trying to prevent change came to me many years ago when I went on a sabbatical in southern Oregon. In the summer when it was over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, the local people taught me to jump in the river and totally relax my body so that I could float with and through nature. After many attempts, my body, rigid with fear, finally returned to its normal state. Floating then gave me a magical connection to God’s earth, heightened my senses and brought me to a true sense of the poser of the spirit. On the self third river float, feeling more calm and conscious than ever in my life, I turned for one second against the river and instantly found myself desperately struggling to avoid drowning. When I finally managed to drag myself to the shore, I had learned a new lesson. Rivers are like life. Most of us are not wise enough to relax and go with it. To fight against the river is to be overwhelmed by its power. When we fight against the natural flow of life, this is when we become spiritually and emotionally sick. Getting in tune with your emotions is not about you controlling what happens, but more about you giving to God.

Third — are the mental and spiritual elements that make life work. They are your understanding of God and how you relate to the Higher in your life. The marriage of spirituality into your every thought will eliminate your failures and gently mold a life of peaceful strength. Abstaining from your spirit is your greatest loss and yet many people work very hard to ignore or disavow this divine energy that is within each of our souls. Spirit is the place where your credibility will be challenged. Clear and defined questions come to mind when accepting your spiritual aspect. Most relevant is the question, “Are you willing to give your life to God?” We are not suggesting that you have to become a crusader. The inner surrender to the Higher is enough. This quiet and profound act will allow the power to go beyond your basic physical capabilities.

Not so long ago, I visited with a friend who confided that for many years he had dreamed of doing fine woodwork but he never felt he had enough artistic ability. Finally, he realized that when he had blockages in other areas of his life he would call upon God for help. Whenever this was done with true earnestness, he would achieve his goal. Off he went carving and cutting and proceeding with faith. Well into the story I stopped him and asked if he had achieved his goal. He laughed and said, “You’re sitting in it right now!” What a comfortable, artistic chair.

The laws of existence always work when we surrender to spirit, let go of our blockages, smooth out emotions and fuel our body with all the necessary nutrients and actions. Struggle comes when these primary aspects are ignored or only partially dealt with. You may feel that you can go on without acknowledging these elements, yet it has been proven countless times that it is not possible. The laws of existence, formulated at the beginning of life, like the flow of the river, direct us unerringly to our greatest fulfillment.

Vol 20 Issue 2 Page 1