When the unexpected happens, and people around you do things that upset you or cause you to feel let down, it can be extremely difficult to accept. People you thought were dependable may decide to switch things up and give little or no notice about it. This can be not only inconvenient, but it can cause confusion, hurt feelings, and a whole array of other problems. It can be hard to deal with these types of situations without becoming bitter or resentful.
But rather than falling into discord, we must find a way to rise above it, otherwise we open ourselves to so much disappointment and unpleasantness. People are not perfect, and when things do not go as planned, it can feel like everything is upside down and inside out. In addition, negative feelings will undoubtedly come up, and if we allow them to dominate our thoughts, we will find it even harder to work through them.
“Some changes look negative on the surface, but you will soon realize that space is being created in your life for something new to emerge.”
Eckhart Tolle
Even though we may feel that someone hurt us or has done something wrong to us, or we have the desire to be ‘right’, that mindset will do nothing good for us. However, if we choose forgiveness and understanding instead, we will free ourselves of the burden of all that negative energy. Just by giving ourselves permission to lighten the load by acknowledging that things do not always go as planned, people make mistakes (ourselves included!), and that unpleasant stuff happens, we make room for better things to emerge. We will also be more likely to become aware of new possibilities that otherwise we might have missed.
But this is not always easy to do. We may be unable to stop thinking about what has happened, or what we wish would have happened instead, and letting it go feels like they win. However, that is not the case. We are only in control of ourselves and how we choose to deal with it. So, when we find ourselves struggling to make sense of unexpected changes, we should make it a point to be extra attentive to those around us who might be having a rough time as well, and lend a helping hand, share a kind word, or do something else that is uplifting for them. This will help bring about balance, and it will help uplift us as well. And when we let go of the negative feelings holding us back, then we free ourselves to experience something wonderful.
“Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents which, in prosperous circumstances,
Horace
would have lain dormant.”
The Weekly Post 