Finding Your Way Through Resistance
Resistance to what is good, but seems like it may hurt, is completely natural. It may not, however, always be helpful.
60 seconds. Try this.
For 30 seconds close your eyes and think about the word closed. Let pictures, ideas, memories, and images of closed flood your mind.
Now, for 30 seconds keeping your eyelids shut, think about the word open. Again, allow pictures, ideas, memories and images of open to float through your mind.
Most likely, closed generated thoughts and emotions of fear, making things smaller and smaller, while open led to the emergence of joy and receptivity.
Some pain in life is so severe that the journey from closed to open takes years of effort and growth. Granted, certain doors may need to remain closed. But for most of life’s experience, how can you live more open?
Open to the splendor around you, the beauty in other people, the surprising genius within you. Receive rather than resist, welcome instead of shunning. Explore the daring way of being open.
Worth Repeating
Each day holds a surprise. But only if we expect it can we see, hear, or feel it when it comes to us. Let’s not be afraid to receive each day’s surprise, whether it comes to us as sorrow or as joy It will open a new place in our hearts, a place where we can welcome new friends and celebrate more fully our shared humanity.
-Henri Nouwen
