“Ever since I heard your name, it’s been running through the streets trying to find you.” – Hafiz
I was first introduced to the question, “Would you rather be right or happy?,” as a student of A Course in Miracles, back in the 1980’s. It was a profound turning point and changed the way I viewed my relationships and my perceptions of life.
The mind is riddled with judgment and loves to be right, which, more often than not, occurs without our conscious awareness and creates conflict within ourselves and our personal and professional relationships.
The state of the world, and the stress we experience, often stems from our thoughts and perceptions. What would happen if we suspended our judgments for just one day and created the space to listen to, and understand, one another?
How would our lives, and the lives of others be different, if we extended love and compassion instead of expecting others to think and do as we do? And, what, if in the greater scheme of things, we developed a newfound understanding that resulted in more connection, peace and togetherness, rather than separation?
Suspending judgment doesn’t mean we forgo our needs for love and safety. Rather, it calls for questioning whether our judgments and opinions about ourselves, and others, are accurate, or if there’s a need for greater appreciation and acceptance?
Want to experiment? Try the following exercise:
1. Choose one day during the week to observe.
2.Stop at regular intervals to take note of your judgments and perceptions.
3.Choose an activity that you engage in throughout the day, such as answering your telephone, using the restroom, or getting a drink of water, to serve as a reminder to stop assess your findings.
4.Take a breath and notice any stress or discomfort in your body, as you take note of your thoughts and judgments.
5.Ask yourself the following questions:
- Is what I’m thinking or judging true? Is it always true?
- Is what I’m thinking or judging based on my ideas and values, or perhaps someone else’s beliefs and interpretations that I’ve unknowingly adopted?
- What, if anything, am I afraid of?
- Does what I’m thinking or judging stem from a past experience?
- How else can I view the situation?
6. After reviewing the above questions what, if any, insights, are you aware of?
Our happiness stems from within and is waiting to be found. Perhaps it lies in valuing our differences.
With love,
Theresa
BIO
I was born and raised in New York. I am a Certified Life Coach, Energy Healing Practitioner, Workshop Facilitator and Author with more than 25 years’ experience. My books include Alphabet Affirmations: Transform Your Life and Love Yourself and I Am the Treasure.
I specialize in helping my clients manage their stress and develop inner resources, like confidence, courage and resilience so they can live with greater ease, realize their goals and dreams and better meet life’s challenges.
For more information and to schedule an appointment, email Theresa@reconnecting2you.com.
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