Looking within for answers to my external experiences, including my body, I’ve discovered that life’s biggest lessons can come in small packages.
As we become aware of our negative and judgmental reactions to life situations, we are then free to release them. This opens the way to physical, mental and emotional well-being.
I’ve learned the form of the lesson doesn’t matter, which is why Mickey Mouse became my teacher. I sprinkle birdseed on the ground outside my glass door, then sit back and enjoy the lovely parade of colorful birds. One day a little mouse shows up and I immediately respond by telling the mouse this wasn’t for him but for the pretty little birdies. I had put Mickey in the ‘different than us’ category. I think that’s called ‘judgment’! The next week we played a cat and mouse game as I tried to erect barriers to keep him separate, to no avail. I was loosing this game!
Finally, one day after taking a moment to look within, images began to surface of the times either I had made the same judgment on others, or them towards me. As I sat in wonder at those long-forgotten memories, I’m reminded of how these thoughts can affect our well-being. As I released these thoughts, I began to feel lighter, as if a load had been lifted. I then had a shift in perception on the way I perceived Mickey and sent gratitude to him for shining a light on some dark thoughts in me I didn’t know existed. Mickey hung around for a few days, then moved on. Mission accomplished!
When we project these negative thoughts onto our bodies instead of a mouse, there is no winner. Perhaps when we choose to listen to our reaction to our body’s ills and release any negative judgment, we can become our own teacher.
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Fifty years ago, I began writing essays on life’s questions. One day, while feeling good, I wrote an essay on Death. In part, Death says, “You’ve given me a name to fear. You’ve taken my gift of the unknown and made me represent all the fears in the dark corners of your ignorance.” Etc. Three days later, I doubled over in pain and was diagnosed with cancer of the kidney with maybe a year to live. Because of what I had written, I had little fear, which affected my experience. It was not about fear of dying but living peacefully in the moment. Thoughts do make a difference!
Contributed by Beverly Hamilton