Living with uncertainty has become commonplace, but have you made peace with it yet? The media doesn’t miss a beat in relating how bad news has become worse. We don’t need the reminders. But, it is important to recognize that it isn’t the news that makes us suffer. What makes us suffer is our own judgement about what is happening—the story or the spin we put on it. Our negative thoughts and emotions cause us to suffer. The Dalai Lama stated in his book, An Open Heart, “As long as we are under their control, our very existence is a form of suffering.” He goes on to state that this form of suffering is not easily recognized, because it is so pervasive. In The Power of Now, Eckhart Tolle, states “Unease, anxiety, tenson, stress. worry–all forms of fear–are caused by too much future and not enough presence. Guilt, regret, resentment, grievances, sadness, bitterness and all forms of non-forgiveness are caused by too much past and not enough presence.” Eckhart continues, “Most people find it difficult to believe that a state of consciousness totally free of all negativity is possible.” But how do we get to that state?
In her book, Happy for No Reason, Marci Shimoff addresses the attachment we seem to have to negativity–how we are “constantly reinforcing the belief of our being attached to our thoughts and feelings.” She introduces the Sedona Method, which is based upon two premises: that thoughts and feelings aren’t facts and they’re not you AND you can let them go. Here’s an exercise she discusses in her book:
Step 1. Focus upon the issue or situation you’d like to feel better about and notice how you feeling when thinking about it.
Step 2. Ask yourself if you can let the feeling go. Either “yes” or “no” are acceptable.
Step 3. Ask yourself if you are willing to let the feeling go. If you say, “no,” then ask yourself if you would rather hold onto the feeling or feel the freedom of letting it go.
Step 4. Ask yourself, “When?” You can choose to let it go anytime you choose. When is the right time to let it go? When will you no longer define yourself by it?
Step 5. Repeat the four steps as often as you need to ultimately feel free of that feeling. You may find that you have layers that have to be pealed away in order to finally have that burden disappear from your shoulders.
