Have you ever noticed how some people have this ‘happy go lucky’ view on life. They seem too happily go with the flow and not let much bother them. They tend to smile and greet others with kindness as they move through life. If we look around us and what’s going on in this world today, it would seem they are the minority!
From a simple observation of society, it would also seem the great majority of people tend to take themselves, others and life’s happenings far too seriously. This life is challenging enough as it is but when we compound it by taking everything so seriously, it not only sucks the joy out of life, it depletes our inner peace and energy.
Many of us could probably fall into the category of being overly controlling at times or even a control freak. Constantly trying to stay in complete control of everyone and everything is a tall task and can be an unrealistic and frustrating experience for us and others. When we get overly perfectionistic, we tend to put so many expectations on ourselves, others and life. I heard a saying years ago that stuck with me. “Expectations are resentments in disguise”. The more we expect of others, the more people appear to let us down and the angrier and more frustrated we get. Also, this control mechanism is usually activated by insecurity and fear. Sadly, this way of thinking can also take a toll on the mind, body and nervous system. Adrenal burnout, fatigue, digestion problems and poor sleep are just a few of the side effects.
Fortunately, there is a far easier way to go through life! St. Francis of Assisi summed it up with his enduring words of wisdom “Wear the world like a loose garment.” This saying has a deep meaning to it. In learning to be detached from this outer world with all of its ups and downs, we can keep ourselves on a peaceful equilibrium. We can learn to be happy within no matter what’s going on in the world.
An analogy that came to me years ago is this, “Being detached is like having a Teflon coating”. When we have this coating around us, life’s troubles and dramas just slide off without sticking to us. The Teflon coating that I’m referring to is none other than God’s peace and joy. When we are rightfully centered in Him and can “let go and let God” our life flows with grace and ease. The opposite of this would be a Velcro coating. The Velcro could be compared to the little ego that likes to try and control everything and everyone around it. When we are caught up in this little insecure ego-Velcro consciousness, it seems everything sticks to us. Our reward is frustration upon frustration.
As perfect children of spirit, we were given free will to reason and act. Each of us has a choice to make. Do we want to wear this world like a loose garment and be happy, joyous and free or do we want to be endlessly frustrated trying to control everything? The choice is ours to make each day.
May we all choose wisely so we can go with the flow of peace and joy! In doing so, we become channels for spirit to work through, which can bring much needed peace and harmony to this world.
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