A Miracle Triggered by the News

I saw a headline in the news today that instantly brought up within me feelings of fear, then powerlessness, then frustration. 

And then a miracle happened: the feelings dissipated almost as quickly as they arose. 

Nothing in the outside world had changed in that 15 second time interval, but a whole lot changed inside me.

Here’s why those inner feelings dissipated so quickly for me: I didn’t confuse the outer situation in the news with my inner reaction to it. 

In other words, I saw my inner reaction as separate and distinct from the outer situation.

Then I was free.

Free to see clearly. Free to think clearly. Free to be clear. Free to take clear action in the best possible ways for me in that moment.

This is powerful! This is transformation, not mere information. This is awareness that sets us free.

We are not free when we are reacting. The purpose of all reactive behavior is blame, defense, and revenge, NOT freedom or intentionality. 

Blaming the outside circumstance. Defending ourselves against a perceived attack. Revenge against what we see as an enemy.

Reacting is not the way to create a better future.

Our reactions aren’t even a choice! They’re a default, defensive response from some unhealed and unintegrated part of ourselves. 

What happened in that moment that I saw the headline is that I had an inner reaction to the headline, and I recognized my inner reaction as MINE, not the circumstance’s. So I released my reaction with understanding, compassion, and gentleness, and then I saw the news for what it was: a report. Reports are inevitable - how I respond to reports is up to me.

Without fail, any time I’ve been lost, stuck, resigned, anxious, fearful, hopeless, or desperate, I’ve been under the illusion of some thought, some perspective, some perception that’s wormed its way unconsciously into my nervous system. And those emotions were my inner reaction.

And each of those emotions is a teacher pointing me to my next lesson of growth, integration, wholeness, and well-being.

Each moment of our lives offers us this choice: be a victim to circumstance or be an owner of the spirit. 

Each moment of our lives is precious. Each moment of our "ordinary daily life is the most perfect ashram you could ever be within.” - The Way of the Heart

I had a client soul coaching call about 20 minutes after that headline and the emotions that moved through me. My client brought up the exact situation for herself - seeing something in the news and getting frustrated about it. 

Here’s what happened:

I got triggered by a news headline, and I took the most effective action I possibly could to make the world a better place - I freed myself internally. In doing so, I showed up clear and free to be with my soul client, and we both reached a higher plane of insight, well-being, inspiration, and love for life together. 

So yes, there’s always something we can do when we’re upset by what’s happening in the world: 1) open ourselves to authentic awareness of what’s actually going on within us as well as outside us, 2) then align all levels of our being with what we actually want/intend. 3) Our agency flows most effectively from that place of quiet, clear, calm, and loving certainty.

Peace, Love, and Joy - they aren’t a destination or a place to get to. They are a place to come from. 

...in this moment, and this one, and this one, and this one, and...

What miracles have you caused lately by doing intentional, soul-level work that makes a difference in your life and the lives of others?

Much Love. ❤️