“Anyone can hold the helm when the sea is calm.” ~ Publilius Syrus
Hardly a day goes by without some form of turbulence, frustration or challenge. The sooner you come to peace with this reality, the better. When you allow for the possibility of impediments to the accomplishment of your daily goals, you are much less likely to waste time and energy in a state of reaction or surprise.
Forewarned is forearmed.
Judgment is a terrible curse, not because someone or some book said it, but because judgment opens the door to usurpative emotions that confound rather than illuminate. Deeming the circumstance at hand as being good or bad – especially at the onset – is the mechanism by which your vision is clouded and your heart is disturbed. Not judging is the only means to ensure that your heart and mind are not troubled, regardless of the nature of circumstance you face.
Circumstances are neutral.
What you do with them that matters more than how they were packaged when they arrived at your doorstep. When you come to terms with this principle, your life will change forever. Never again will you fret about criticism, Mondays, a long day, traffic or unfairness. You’ll find the hidden advantage in everything. Bad things will still happen, but you’ll no longer relinquish your inner calm when they do. TGIF will miraculously transform into TGIM, TGIT, TGIW, TGIT, TGIS and TGIS!
You are an alchemist.
You have the capacity to transmute frustration, turbulence and challenge into momentum, influence and ultimately, victory. Pressure is your ally. Calmness is your Philosopher’s Stone.
“Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset.” ~ Saint Francis de Sales
Gregory Hake 
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This is my voice today as I deal with unreasonable and hurtful accusations on my Character that I cannot defend, for to do so would cause even more harm to my well being. Letting go of what is vile and hurtful and to accept that some people are so capable of wrong doing that if you harbor the hurt, it only grows and destroys WHO YOU ARE…This has been an enlightening view for me today. Thanks, Greg
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I have always wondered how it is helpful to give up the only thing you really have control over when things don’t go you way. When you allow yourself to get upset by things, you get into a downward spiral. You get upset, make a bad decision, something bad results from it, then you get upset about that, etc. What you are suggesting makes sense. Thanks!
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Excellent post!
And I love the quote by St. Francis de Sales.
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Your point about judgement is well taken. Just don’t go there and you don’t have to start there.
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This is the secret to inner peace. The “never let them see you sweat” is really-never sweat! I love the thought that circumstances are neutral. We are creators but alchemists not only create, they transform one substance into another. Great analogy for our lives.
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I was reminded of the words, “I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul.” Great post!
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Perfect!
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Beautiful meditation this morning! Perfect timing to read it as the sun is rising. Have a wonderful day!!
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