What if?

What if we reminded ourselves of three things today?

1. People are doing the best they know how to do, given the circumstances in their life. The choices or actions of other people are the only choices or actions they could have made given where they are in life - whether or not you agree with those choices. If their choices invite turmoil into their life, remember that difficult situations allow people to develop and grow. All paths lead to truth, but alas, some are much longer than others.
2. It takes two to tango. Conflict can’t be brought into your life without your participation; if you respond with love, peace, compassion and understanding, your life will be free from conflict. Conflict grows when you nurture it with the fertilizers of violence, energy or hate, and withers when you respond with your heart.
3. It’s all small stuff. Remind yourself of the wisdom contained within my favorite quote ever… it’s from the Ojibway people: “Now and then I go about pitying myself and all the while my soul is being blown by great winds across the sky.” The so called problems, issues and difficult situations in our lives pale in comparison to the love and beauty of this tremendous universe. On which will you focus your energy today?