Paul Heussenstamm with mandala painting Have you ever been stuck in a long line that you didn't anticipate and felt the angst welling up inside of you? I used to feel so impatient if I had to wait in a line for too long or if I felt that something wasn't going "the way it should". Now, through the grace of God, I have grown to see that there are beautiful lessons in the circumstances of our daily world -- even in the things we can't control. So often, we resist what is happening in our day-to-day lives rather than seeing the miracle in what is happening.
Here is one example of how I learned to flow and enjoy life more:
At a workshop in Todos Santos, Mexico, our fearless leader, Paul Heussenstamm, led a mandala painting retreat for 12 women. Let me say that again, 12 strong women...and Paul.
During the retreat, Paul was so patient with us, and we have all learned so much by following him around the world for his painting adventures.
But poor Paul. One day, he decided to take all of us shopping and -- here's the difficulty -- drop us off.
As we were getting out of the van Paul said, "Please, all of you, meet me back here at 2 o'clock sharp." A few of us said, "Ok!"
The "12" wandered into the amazing streets of Todos Santos buying jewelry, textiles, and art galore. Eventually, it was about 10 minutes before 2:00, and I noticed that none of the other women seemed concerned about meeting Paul back at the van. Being time-conscious, I said to those around me, "Shouldn't we be getting back?"
No one answered.
The minutes passed. No one was heading toward the door. At 1 minute to 2:00, however, I said, just a little bit louder this time, "Shouldn't we be getting back to the van?"
No one looked up.
Finally, I confided in one of the women who had become my friend, and I said, "I'm afraid Paul will be upset if we don't get back on time."
Here is the punch line my friends...
My friend looked at me, stared in my eyes, and said, "How do you know that isn't exactly what Paul needs?"
Whahahahahaha.....hohohohoho....heeheehee
That moment changed my life. You see, my friend was trusting in what was happening, and I was spending my energy being worried about something I couldn't control.
Now, whenever I think something isn't going the way it should be, and I start to feel some angst, I simply say to myself, "How do you know this isn't exactly what is needed?"
We fight against the way things are when what we actually need is to embrace the events, feelings, disappointments, and differences that are occurring during our day. We resist the very things that lead to soul growth.
Now, when my life is seemingly going against the grain, I can smile, pause, look around me and think, "Hmm, what is happening here? What opportunity is being presented, and how can I grow?" It's a wonderful transformation to be able to live this way more of the time.
Are you struggling against the way life is going right now? Are you able to embrace the unplanned and unexpected occurrences in daily life? Is your patience being tested? What if whatever is happening is exactly what you need in order to soul blossom? Stay calm mis compadres, there are blessings in the angst!
(Written by Jane Hart, Copyright 2014 )
Check out Paul's work at www.mandalas.com
Here is one example of how I learned to flow and enjoy life more:
At a workshop in Todos Santos, Mexico, our fearless leader, Paul Heussenstamm, led a mandala painting retreat for 12 women. Let me say that again, 12 strong women...and Paul.
During the retreat, Paul was so patient with us, and we have all learned so much by following him around the world for his painting adventures.
But poor Paul. One day, he decided to take all of us shopping and -- here's the difficulty -- drop us off.
As we were getting out of the van Paul said, "Please, all of you, meet me back here at 2 o'clock sharp." A few of us said, "Ok!"
The "12" wandered into the amazing streets of Todos Santos buying jewelry, textiles, and art galore. Eventually, it was about 10 minutes before 2:00, and I noticed that none of the other women seemed concerned about meeting Paul back at the van. Being time-conscious, I said to those around me, "Shouldn't we be getting back?"
No one answered.
The minutes passed. No one was heading toward the door. At 1 minute to 2:00, however, I said, just a little bit louder this time, "Shouldn't we be getting back to the van?"
No one looked up.
Finally, I confided in one of the women who had become my friend, and I said, "I'm afraid Paul will be upset if we don't get back on time."
Here is the punch line my friends...
My friend looked at me, stared in my eyes, and said, "How do you know that isn't exactly what Paul needs?"
Whahahahahaha.....hohohohoho....heeheehee
That moment changed my life. You see, my friend was trusting in what was happening, and I was spending my energy being worried about something I couldn't control.
Now, whenever I think something isn't going the way it should be, and I start to feel some angst, I simply say to myself, "How do you know this isn't exactly what is needed?"
We fight against the way things are when what we actually need is to embrace the events, feelings, disappointments, and differences that are occurring during our day. We resist the very things that lead to soul growth.
Now, when my life is seemingly going against the grain, I can smile, pause, look around me and think, "Hmm, what is happening here? What opportunity is being presented, and how can I grow?" It's a wonderful transformation to be able to live this way more of the time.
Are you struggling against the way life is going right now? Are you able to embrace the unplanned and unexpected occurrences in daily life? Is your patience being tested? What if whatever is happening is exactly what you need in order to soul blossom? Stay calm mis compadres, there are blessings in the angst!
(Written by Jane Hart, Copyright 2014 )
Check out Paul's work at www.mandalas.com