Part of the responsibility of being human is to examine the circumstances of our life.  Our destiny is not easily revealed, because it is too hard to comprehend, too frightening.  Thus the search for enlightenment proceeds, one step at a time, revealing things that are at times unpleasant, but must be unveiled in order for us to learn and grow. Adversity provides us with opportunities to learn some tough lessons that help us to improve our life situation and to move forward.

No matter how well we plan ahead, things will not always go as planned.  There will always be unexpected obstacles and setbacks along our path that appear to completely derail our efforts.  However, self-awareness can be a valuable tool for guidance.  When we focus on what is happening right in this very moment we can actually do something.  As things happen only in the current moment, we can apply the lessons we have learned in the past without dwelling in the blame and the pain.  We can strive toward our goals (our dreams) without shackling ourselves with doubts of “what if”. 

An old Chinese proverb states, “the gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man perfected without trials.”  Each situation we master gives us the strength to face the next one.  Even though life seems to be a continual struggle, if we take a moment, we can also remember the beautiful events.   If we are able to keep our energy focused on the seed of benefit which may be found in every adversity, we will be able to appreciate the uniqueness of who we are.

Consider this:
*    Walt Disney was fired by a newspaper editor for lack of ideas.  Disney also went bankrupt several times before he built Disneyland.
*   When Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone in 1876, it did not ring off the hook with calls from potential backers.  After making a demonstration call, President Rutherford Hayes said, “That’s an amazing invention, but who would ever want to use one of them?”
*    Wilma Rudolph was the 20th of 22 children.  She was born prematurely and her survival was doubtful.  When she was four years old, she contracted double pneumonia and scarlet fever which left her with a paralyzed left leg.  At age nine, she removed the metal leg brace she had been dependent on and began to walk without it.  By 13, she had developed a rhythmic walk, which doctors said was a miracle.  That same year she decided to become a runner.  She entered a race and came in last.  For the next few years every race she entered she came in last.  Everyone told her to quit, but she kept on running.  One day she actually won a race.  And then another.  From then on she won every race she entered.  Eventually this little girl, who was told she would never walk again, went on to win three Olympic gold medals.

Our troubles don’t define us...how we handle them does.
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​How many times has information been passed on to you that has later revealed itself as incorrect?   To complicate and confuse things more, a second opinion turns out to be the exact opposite!  So where do we find the truth -verifiable facts that accurately  portray our reality?
Lately we hear so much about fake news.  But is this a new trend?  Deliberate misinformation has circulated for centuries, only it was called propaganda- Wikipedia is full of historical examples.  The purpose of journalism, according to The American Press Institute , is “to provide citizens with the information they need to make the best possible decisions about their lives, their community, their societies and their governments.”  It should be a professional discipline that assembles and verifies facts.
There are several credible sites we can use to recheck news stories, posts on social media and phony reviews for online products or services.    Any information that have questionable URLs (.co), use low quality grammar, that get rave ratings or are not transparent about their  identity are probably not reliable sources.  If the news you are reading makes you really angry or really smug, this too could be a sign that the facts are not legitimate as they rely on extreme reactions to get re-shared or retold.
When we base our perception of truth on what we read or hear,  we have to be cognizant and cautious not to accept anything immediately at face value.  Check multiple sources when you seek advice and then run it through the filter of your own common sense.  To borrow from the popular public service announcement, “the more you know” , the more you are able to discern fact from fiction.  Using our basic ability to perceive with practical judgment allows us to know what to question and what to trust.  Never stop questioning.

When life flows smoothly, we think we have achieved a state of inner peace.  Our relationships are harmonious, the bills are all paid and there is still money in the bank, we are healthy and energized to enjoy all the pleasures just waiting to be chosen.  We are happy and satisfied.  Yet everyday life isn’t always like that.   If we are able to remain calm and balanced during the turbulent, emotionally charged phases, than we truly live in that blissful consciousness that so many frantically search for.
 
Inner peace is within reach of everyone.  It is not dependent on material status or popularity, on where we live, our age or our health, or any other outer circumstance. Thinking futile, anxious thoughts is a habit that can be changed.  The first requirement is to become aware of the incessant chatter that creates mental chaos and then to become willing to consciously act differently.  It’s almost like we have to step outside of ourselves and become the neutral observer.  When we see the impact of our emotions, our dislikes, judgments and fears, have on our body, this realization liberates us from the attack/defense mechanisms that we let control us.  In doing so, we begin to understand that we are someone of much greater intelligence than the discordant energy that is rocking our vessels.  Thus, it becomes a great asset to be able to silence the mind. 
 
Our life is shaped according to our thoughts and the field of possibilities is immeasurable!  The present moment is all we have to work with.  It is our tool for transformation.  When we  resist what is, we energize a problem, making it even more powerful.  Accepting what is, however, doesn’t mean giving up. It just means that we put ourselves in a better position to take action when necessary.  Somewhat counterintuitive, when you accept what is, it loses much of its power to rob your inner peace. It just is.  When we see more clearly and objectively, we can take the appropriate action to change our situation.  Being able to keep oneself strong in the face of stress and discord emits a powerful frequency to which others will be attracted.  With this disposition of serenity, we not only become more of who we are, but so also do they.     

     I believe in the innate goodness of mankind.  This goodness I am referring to is honesty, compassion, kindness and moral courage.  It is the source of energy that lives within us.  It is the catalyst that propels us through the challenges of life- the human experiences we spiritual beings encounter.    It gives us guidance and a sense of hope while viewing the tumultuous situations that mankind has always dealt with.  Hate doesn’t solve any problems; it just creates more. There have always been tyrants, murderers, those who ignored or were misled to ignore the consequences of their actions, that you reap what you sow.  But even though they appeared all powerful and dominant, they have always failed in the end.  For those who disrespect the rights of individual human lives are compared to trees with weak roots.  The taller they grow, the more resistance they will offer to the wind and are bound to fall.  Perhaps it is also the real proof that mankind still exists because good will always outweigh the bad.  Every act of senseless violence resounds with countless acts of empathetic kindness and goodness. 
    Stripped down to the most basic common denominator, the two primary emotions in humans are fear and love.  Each of us has our positive and are less positive traits.  Important to remember is that between good and bad are many shades in the value scale, some of which are issues of relativity.  Wayne Dyer once said, “The single most important decision any of us will ever make is whether or not to believe the universe is friendly.  It’s your choice”.  For if we focus on what’s ugly, we attract more ugliness in our thoughts which influences our emotional well-being and correspondingly expands into our lives.  The World Alliance of Interfaith Clergy states that “kindness has no church, peace has no religion, compassion has no temple, love has no borders.” All of these have been found numerous times in the most unlikely, unluckiest places.  The world  works better when we hold out our hands and our hearts to one another.
Patti Dolezal