Resistance and Its Many Forms
Alright, let’s say everything is going swimmingly and you’ve found your purpose, or at least have a better idea of the
direction it might take. Or let’s say that you haven’t, and you’re still searching, but you’re clearer and more motivated
about your life and things in general.
Then something goes wrong.
It could be anything. Your kid gets a bad grade and suddenly without knowing why you’re screaming at her. The car breaks
down. You get dumped. Your promotion goes to something else. Could be major, could be minor. Sometimes life seems to just
want to kick you in the keister. Like Woody Allen said “Not only is there no God, but try getting a plumber on Saturday!”
Don’t let it get you down. It’s just resistance.
Resistance to what, you may ask? You were just there, minding your own business, living life the best you know how to.
What kind of resistance could there possibly be to anything?
Well, obstacles are their own form of resistance. In the most basic form they are just things that get in the way of you
finding your purpose.
Resistance can be insidious and everywhere. It can seem very “common-sensical” and disguise itself in the meanest of ways.
Just the other day I was thinking of taking driving lessons (yes, I can’t drive…yet!) and I was calculating costs, when
I would be free etc. Then I had the thought “it’s gonna be expensive. Can I really afford this? Do I really need to
learn to drive?” (To those of you who may be reading this in the West, driving (and cars) and a LOT more expensive where
I live.)
This is where you have to sit down and ask yourself. Be honest. In fact, be brutally honest, if you can. This isn’t about
criticism of yourself or the way things are
if it’s a pattern that keeps on repeating in your life (failed relationships, inability to hold down a job etc) then it may
be something deeper that might require a more thorough investigation
Then when you’ve identified what it is (or at least have a clearer picture) that needs your attention, go and do something
about it.
Don’t fall into the trap of “oh, when I’ve sorted all this out, purpose will come knocking at my door.” I was in that place
for a long time and it didn’t do me any good. It seems reasonable at that time – if I sort out all my issues, then surely
I’ll be in a better place to do what I’m meant to?
Well, what I realized is that NO ONE sorts out ALL their issues (or resistance, or whatever you want to call it)
It definitely pays to do some spring-cleaning (in my case it was a LOT of cleaning) It also pays to take some time out to
reflect on things. But all that life, life is there, waiting for you to live it. So live it! You can continue the search
and work on yourself and your issues at the same time. In fact, I think you’ll find that one often influences the other.
Keep on trucking. Don’t let anything or anyone (least of all yourself!) get in your way.