dailydatewithgod

Curiosity about the world, curiosity about our lives is the simplest and most profound key to happiness.  When we stop and with curiosity question what is happening and why we are being the way we are, we create a distance and disattachment from what is happening.  It provides an opportunity to take a breath and allow God in. In interrupts the automatic pilot from engaging.  For example. a few weeks back I got some news at work about a change that was going to occur to people in my department and who hold my position.  It was going to shift how we do our work and how our time gets measured.  When asked by my supervisor what my first thoughts or reactions were I found myself wanting to burst into tears.  Honestly, I hated the idea of what was going to be happening mostly because of what I was making it mean.  I stopped for a moment and noticed that I was having a strong reaction. I made a comment but kept it to a minimum as I had no desire to burst into tears in the office in front of my co-workers. After that initial meeting, with wonder (not judgment) I observed that I had a strong reaction and with curiosity I began to explore what I might be attaching to it.  It is amazing what happens when we attach meaning to things.  All that was happening was a change in regulations and procedures at work.  That was it.  My job didn’t change, my pay and benefits didn’t change, who I work with didn’t change.  Looking at it objectively, there was nothing to react to.  However, it was some deeply held beliefs and old ideas that floated to the surface and had me by the throat. I have heard that if one’s reaction to something is hysterical, it is probably historical.  What was happening touched on some similar experiences from my past, that clearly had not fully resolved and so the impact of all of that was what I was reacting to.  Again, with wonder I could observe that there was a deeper experience that I was being called to bring to God to be transformed. Only time will tell how these new circumstances at work will come out, but at least I did not spend weeks pissing and moaning about how my job is creating havoc in my life.  I took the power back and addressed what was happening within me.  This is a skill that we can develop. Being in wonder and not judgment about things is part of the core of who we are.  I have learned that it is best to leave judgment to God and that includes judgment of myself, others, and situations. Observation and questioning are more effective tools by which to navigate. It doesn’t mean that I don’t judge, I do plenty. I have just learned not to engage as best as possible based on those judgments.  My prayer for us today is that we have the courage to take a breath (call on God) and wonder about our reactions instead of engaging them immediately.  Make it a great one!  Peace~Colleen