The Power of Choice in the Middle of Struggle

by Gary de Rodriquez

Greetings

I've been sitting here at my computer thinking about what I can write that will be meaningful for people at this intense time in our history. I have received so many calls and e-mails about the chaos that is currently surrounding many of our lives. It is as if life has accelerated at an alarming rate, leaving us confused and exhausted.

I know that in my own personal life there have been many people very close to me that have experienced unpredictable catastrophes, resulting in their lives being completely changed overnight. Is it possible that the current chaos that we are experiencing is a result of not accepting the gifts that life chooses to give us?

In this newsletter I desire to offer some tools for dealing with Life Changes.

Recently I conducted a private tele-class for my Master Mind students and I invited my friend Sean to be the guest for the tele-class. I interviewed him for the benefit he offers people in dealing with hardship. I believe he is the only person I have ever had as a guest presenter for my tele-class.

Sean and I met a few months back when he called my office and asked if I would work with him, conducting a two day one on one breakthrough session for him.

During my work with Sean I realized what an extraordinary man he was. I walked away from the experience with him being personally inspired, moved and deepened by my association.

Sean had experienced an awakening, a transformational event that would wreck havoc on his body but would awaken his spirit. It was a pivotal turning point in his physical, emotional and spiritual life. He was electrocuted by a freak accident, which caused profound spinal damage, loss of mobility and confinement to a wheel chair. The electrocution caused his body to burst into flames, resulting in severe burns over 60% of his body.

During the tele-class I asked Sean many questions about his beliefs and values, and I asked him to give us some wisdom about dealing with difficult times and how to transform difficulties and struggles into the secret gift that is contained within them.

Sean said, and I will paraphrase, that as a result of his physical anguish and from being immobile for long periods of time, he realized that he had to be fully present in the experience of the pain and that he had to choose to create happiness. He stated that despite all that he has been through, he could honestly say that now, like never before, he is awake, aware and truly happy.

When Sean laughs it's as if every cell of his body is laughing, from the soles of his feet to the top of his head. Can the circumstances in our lives be transformed to a choice of serenity? I think they can. Sean is extraordinary but so is every one of us.

It is a choice. We are not our bodies, our things, our professions or our money. At the time that each one of us transitions, what will matter is the wisdom that we have nurtured and matured within ourselves, the lives that we have touched, the humanity we have expressed to those around us, and the love that we have expressed. We must choose to be aware. When a door closes, know that several more are opening. Life is a progression, a journey, and often what appears to be an obstacle, is really a new direction.

Here are some questions I invite each one of you to ponder and to take out a pen and paper and journal your answers:

1. What really matters to you?

2. What are the emerging possibilities that your life is asking of you now?

3. What do you truly love?

4. Imagine going out in to your future, beyond the current difficulties, to a place when the current situation has been resolved. Now look back to the current situation and write down what you know to be the truth.

5. What are some foundational steps in action that you are willing to take so that you begin to shift your attitude toward possibilities and flexibility in your behavior and perception?

6. Who are your core partners in creating your future with you?

7. What are willing to do in the next two days to begin creating a new direction for you?

I will leave you with a quote from the Hopi Elders:

"There is a river flowing now very fast. It is so great and swift that there are those who will be afraid. They will try to hold on to the shore. They will feel like they are being torn apart, and they will suffer greatly. Know the river has its destination. The elders say we must let go of the shore, push off toward the middle of the river, keep our eyes open, and our heads above the water."

we are to take nothing personally, least of all ourselves. The time of the lonely wolf is over. Gather yourselves! See who is there with you and celebrate Banish the word struggle from your attitude and vocabulary. All that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration. We are the ones we have been waiting for.

For more information visit www.GaryDeRodriguez.com