Camille Pissaro
We have been encouraged to "Forget." Life, or at least society, easily influences one to feel as though there is not much reason to be Glad. It is hard to see the beauty of a baby when you are focused on the irratance of his cry. When you feel helpless in a situation, it may be hard to remember the strength of your mind. I have been caught up in many situations were it seems hard, if not impossible, to be happy and I am sure that others have had the same experience.
So how does one remain in a state of cheerful expectation when life throws curve balls? How can we Remeber the Peace of the Present moment when surrounded in suffering? How can one person react one way in a seemingly impossible situation and another act totally different?
There are factors that come into play in suffering, most noticibly, there is a difference in perception. Perception influences us in powerful ways. Do we, as humans, even know the difference between reality and perception?
Reality is nothing more than what we percieve it to be.
Our perception paints our life whatever color we so choose. If we percieve a situation to be terrible, than our reality of that situation becomes a terrible one. When we percieve our situation to be a great one, than our reality of that situation becomes great. It is all in the perception. We have a choice in every situation that comes along. We can choose to accept it, to change it, or to change our situation of it.
I am choosing to Remember that each time a person, thought or situation challenges my ability to remain in a Peaceful Presence that my Soul is being encouraged to grow. Each time my heart fills with anger, depression or apathy it hints that I have granted myself permission to allow my perceptions of the outside world cloud Who I am. Each seemingly negative feeling is helping to remind me to exercise my ability to remain Authentic to Myself and my choice to Love Life.
My inability to be easily content in certain situations will shine a light on my foundation, showing any cracks that need to be filled, any areas of my Awakening Mind, my Peaceful Mind, my Eternal Soul that need to be examed, that need tending. This is how people grow. When we are comfortable and content, although we may not be suffering, we may not as easily see where there is room for growth. The situations that are easy to be in a state of joy are wonderful experiences and should be celebrated, but I believe that the most important time to focus on happiness is when it is not easy to find.
And, as those of us from small towns so easily recognize, there is always a reason to celebrate, no matter how small the occasion.
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