I am sure we have all been through moments of frustration in our lives caused by perhaps our plans not shaping up as well as we had imagined, not getting the job we so badly wanted, or feeling like our goals are way out of our reach, or any other situation were we are unhappy with the existing outcome. These moments can make us question if the universe is really on our side, or we are fighting a lone battle of trying to fulfill our desires.
So how do we move past these frustrating moments and find some ease in our situation ?
I have been using a 3 step process that I conceived for just moments like these. I would like to share these with you today and I hope you find it useful. I call it "ACT" ( just so it's easy to remember ). ACT is an acronym for :
A - Acknowledge ;
C - Get Curious / Challenge assumptions & beliefs ;
T - Trust the universe
Step 1 : Acknowledge
Acknowledge all of your thoughts and feelings around the situation. Just let them come. Resist the urge to label them as "right", "wrong", “appropriate” or “inappropriate”. The fact that they have come to you makes every one of them valid. Listen in a non judgmental way.
“Acknowledge what hurts. When you face it and feel it, you can then choose what you do with it. If you avoid it or ignore it, you give your power to the pain.” - Dr Rebecca Ray
Step 2 : Get Curious / Challenge the assumptions / beliefs that create these thoughts & feelings in you :
Get curious about where these thoughts & feelings stem from? Most likely there is some underlying belief / idea that makes you think or feel a certain way.
I find that this step throws light on some of my own dis-empowering beliefs & an objective self talk often reveals where I need to do the work - on myself. And how I have been escaping responsibility and blaming the circumstances / situation / or a person for my experience.
“Accepting complete responsibility for your life means that you refuse to make excuses or blame others for anything in your life that you're not happy about.” - Brian Tracy
Step 3 : Trust the universe
It can be a tough thing to do, when you are feeling all disappointed but there is freedom in letting go of control and believing that what’s happening is for your good.
For this step, I like to view the universe as a loving entity that watches over me all the time, knows exactly what I need & brings it to me when the time is right. All I need to do is have the right intentions that align with the ultimate good & put in the effort.
And it is true. Haven't you experienced situations where you have been thinking about an answer to something and the next day you read a post that clarifies it or you receive a forward from a friend on just what you have been thinking ? It's the universe bringing you the answers.
“ What you seek, is seeking you.” - Rumi
One last word
While this technique might work when you apply it, it is likely that you will be flooded with the same frustrating thoughts and feelings again. And that's normal. You may have to use this method over & over.
It's like the process of ‘Tie and dye’. The cloth does not get dyed in one shot. You need to dip it in color, rinse & repeat. Use the same principle.
Apply the tool as many times, and whenever you need. Hopefully it will give you the strength to accept and flow with the currents of life, no matter how hopeless the situation appears on the surface.
Very simple yet powerful strategy! Thanks for sharing 😊
I needed to hear this today :-)
More power to you