Today's Lesson

Today, like every other day, is more than likely going to present you with an opportunity to expand your consciousness. You probably will not recognize it immediately as it is happening. For instance, you receive a phone call that delays you or even ruins your plans for the day altogether, or you unexpectedly encounter a stranger who could use some help, or maybe your feelings get terribly hurt by someone close to you... whatever the situation, the question should always be the same: "What am I being taught today? Patience? Surrender? Forgiveness? Gratitude? Self-Worth? Humility? Compassion?" You will undoubtedly find that there are underlying themes in your life that show up in many different forms. Understanding this allows you to be centered in the midst of perceived chaos.

So, will you get today's lesson, or will you have to repeat it? The key to this is to take a step back and recognize the purpose of the scenario that is occurring right in front of you; awareness is 90 percent of getting beyond it. Let the energy that the situation makes you feel pass through you instead of storing it down deep inside to deal with at a later time, because each time you experience it, there will be more of that energy needing to be released, so it will only get harder. You will feel this energy because it will throw you off balance. Every time a lesson is presented, it is a chance to get rid of negative energy that has been pushed down and internalized and is now stuck inside of you. The Universe throws a pebble, a rock, a stone, a boulder, then the whole mountain at you to get your attention, so the sooner you get the lesson, the better!

If you choose to learn what your consciousness is teaching you -- because it really is a choice -- and you don't want to feel like you're Bill Murray in the movie "Groundhog Day," then take note of these three ways to gain awareness and remain cool, calm, and centered no matter what happens today:

1) Be the Audience

Our lives are like soap operas, hopefully not that melodramatic, but a lot of the time it feels that way. From day to day, we have little or no idea what the heck is going to transpire; we simply try to cope with things as they come. However, I cannot emphasize strongly enough the importance of NOT getting pulled in -- by this, I mean giving your power away to anything or anyone. The moment you do that, the situation you are in has just gained control of your emotions. You are no longer the master of your own life, you are the pawn.

Realize that situations are brought to you and dumped in your lap for a reason; this is not random. Therefore, instead of jumping right in, as usual, head first without looking, observe. Watch it unfold. Who are the players? What are they doing? Have they done this before? Probably. Where do you fit into all of this? Do you need to be a part of it? Is this really about being patient or accepting or possibly something else? What could happen differently this time so that today is the last time this is brought to you? Be an audience member during a performance of the latest "trauma drama," not one of the actors, and you will be amazed at how much less dramatic your life becomes.

2) Feel the Feeling

We've all been embarrassed at some point or another or felt left out or maybe that we just weren't important or loved. Scenarios that bring up these types of feelings are typically commentaries on our self-worth. Whatever the underlying theme, there is a resistance we have built up in order to avoid the pain. That wall we use to protect ourselves gets higher and wider every time we get hurt. The only way to break down our walls is to recognize that these unpleasant feelings bring to our attention limitations we have placed upon ourselves: "I'm not good enough," "I don't deserve to be loved," I'm stupid." When you become aware of what is really going on, relax and smile. Take hold of your personal power and do not give it away. You are the master of your thoughts and emotions; they are a choice. You choose them, don't allow someone else to do it. When you remain in control and don't fall victim to the same scenario, these hurtful moments will be history.

3) See the Gift

Gifts are not always fun to receive, nor are they always wrapped up in neat little packages; they can be messy and uncomfortable. However, these are the greatest gifts of all because they are life-changers. They may look like nothing you could ever want at the time, but I guarantee you, the amount of positive energy and blessings that those gifts have the power to bring into our lives is boundless if we can just accept them graciously and say, "Thank you." Recognize that gifts come in all shapes and sizes, but you have to be willing to see their true form. Everything is a gift.

Don't go through life blindly, living the same day over and over and over again. It is sad that so many people do this until the entire mountain comes crashing down on top of them. Be open to the lesson in this moment and move on. Your life will be so much happier, easier, and fuller because of it.

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