Daily Inspiration 2-19-11

"This is the law of prosperity. When apparent adversity comes,

be not cast down by it, but make the best of it, and always

look forward for better things, for conditions more prosperous."

-- Ralph Waldo Trine

You've probably heard the positive phrases at some time in your life, such as, "keep a stiff upper lip," when the going gets tough, the tough get going," it's not what happens to you but how you react to it," and others along that same philosophy. Sure, we sort of believe them to be true, or at least we find them to be true for other people, especially famous people who have told us in book, on TV, or other way all about how they overcame adversity and made it through to become the success they are today. We believe it to be true from history class of those who faced the odds and won. We get it, or so we say, until. . . it happens to us!

Then, as adversity is upon us, it is so easy to forget all those history classes, movie stars, business tycoons, and positive thinking coaches, as we are in the throws of dealing with issues we don't want to deal with, never thought we would ever deal with, or swore it would never happen again. And, yet, here it is in all its glory.

As a result, we easily and with encouragement from our friends, relatives, co-workers, begin focusing on our misfortune and speaking of it often, thinking of almost nothing else and feeling the pain, regret and other self-damaging emotions. Yep, we are facing reality in the face and finding more and more reality of a similar nature on the news, in the papers, on the radio, on billboards, on facebook, that we are now sharing and receiving as a method of attempting to sooth, rationalize and find justification. We look for scapegoats and just know that it has to be something outside of ourselves that has created this injustice. We seek blame for it seems to give us some relief. It does no such thing.

This is a common scenario throughout the world in the face of adversity.

Now, here's the good news. It IS true that this scenario is reality. Yes, it is there; however, the positive phrases we heard are also true and real. Which one really gives us relief? It is the fact that it is not what happens to us, but how we choose to react to it. In fact, I don't think there is any more truthful statement than this. What we think about what is going on whether it is adversity or prosperity is everything.

And here's the best thing I've learned: Which one feels better to focus on? Which one has the power to change things to the way we want it? It would be the prosperity; the joy; the feeling good rather than that endless circle of sharing complaint. That choice is 100% ours and we all have 100% of the power.

. . . Just In Case You Need Some Hope. . .

Spread Some Joy Today--focus on what feels good to think about and forget about everything else. We get to choose joy anytime we want to.