“Perhaps all the dragons of our lives are princesses who are only waiting to see us once beautiful and brave. ” - Rainier Maria Rilke

At our healing and meditation service this month, I used the metaphor that focusing on problems outside ourselves is like trying to put out a fire then one day realizing that you are the one lighting the match. Maybe you worry about how to bring in more income, have job concerns, or relationship issues. Your energy goes to the problem and the mind tries to figure out how to solve it. It’s what we are taught to do. But the stone thrown that created that particular ripple in your life came from within. And most likely the mind played a part in the creation of the problem in the first place. A more effective way to heal whatever is happening may be to turn your attention away from what feels like a fire in your life and ask yourself “what inside of me won’t let this go?”

Everything serves a purpose. Nature is a great example of that. Nothing goes to waste. It all gets recycled and creates new life. Same is true in our lives. Any situation or challenge has a purpose. That purpose is to grow our consciousness. There is no problem ‘out there’.  The good news is, if the problem is in me then so is the solution. Each new choice lends an opportunity to believe in and create a greater outcome than you could previously have. The point isn’t to have a problem free life – won’t happen – but to see that each and every one was offered up by your soul and lovingly given to your life as a way to bring in more light. That light will always illuminate where you are not in alignment with truth.

Think of a reel of film and the movie being projected on the screen. It’s the film that is creating the images not the screen. Whatever is showing up in your life was first projected from the pictures in you. So you can sit back, eat some popcorn, and learn about what is in your unconscious by what is showing up as a problem. Back to the question – what in me won’t let this go? The mind will think that is a crazy question because of course you want to make enough money or have a good relationship. Well, then you might need to change the movie that you are unaware of playing in the background. Maybe there is a bit of film that says you aren’t good enough. That invalidating picture will keep playing on your screen – in your life circumstances – until you heal it with a new consciousness.

The first step is to simply be present. It’s simple but not easy because life seems designed to distract us from the moment. To be present means you are aware of what is around you and grounded in your body. If you are doing dishes you are right there with your awareness doing dishes. Not thinking of something else. Next step, reclaim your amusement. It’s okay to lighten up no matter how tough it appears. When you are in a lighter vibration then energy flows and shifts happen naturally. Really, shifts happen. It always helps to notice the beauty that is around you and there is always some beauty to appreciate. It’s a balm for the soul.

Remind yourself that you are an eternal being in this grain of sand of a lifetime. The creative energy of the universe flows through you. You are capable of far greater than your mind can know. Give your thoughts a rest and allow inspiration (in spirit) to chart your course.

Reverend Juli Somers is the Director of The Center For Inner Truth.  She can be reached at 505-920-4418.