“They are tossed to drunken heights, only to be brought down into a
sludge of headachy despair; their arrogance gives way to humiliation
at the next curve of the switchback.” —Patrick White
It is easy to lose sight of yourself as the most powerful person in your life. Reinforced by the masses and the media, it’s common to forget your power to influence your life and control your emotions.
You could become a feather in the wind subject to a roller coaster of emotions. When things are good you’ll feel exuberant and invincible, some people become self-aggrandizing and haughty. On the ego’s winds of superiority, they soar.
Then life turns or appears to go badly, as it always does, and your feelings swing the other way. You feel vulnerable, afraid, or angry.
Stability comes from utilizing your power to control your mind and then choosing the emotional middle path.
Instead of becoming overexcited and ecstatic when something wonderful happens, accept it as a part of life, and look for ways to turn your fortune into good for others too. Resist thoughts of superiority and separation. Remember that you are one with all that is. Stay steady.
When something upsetting occurs remind yourself that you control your mind. It is almost impossible to recognize or conceive of higher solutions when you are emotionally distraught. Choose not to give over to emotional turmoil. The vast majority of troubles are not as bad as you think they are, and there may be solutions that you don’t see yet. Even the worst appearing situations can bear extraordinary gifts. Take trying times as a call to become more present, non-resisting, and without judgment. You are enough to handle whatever you face. Find something that creates equanimity within (yoga, tai chi, surfing, meditation), and create calmness within.
Strength is the child of emotional stability.
When you stop allowing the external world to dictate your inner state, you become stronger.
In time, staying centered in life’s storms will become much easier.
Stay on the middle path.
~ Cynthia
Thank you…this is so very timely and encouraging for me. Looking forward to reading your e-book. Namaste
Great post Cynthia. How easy it is to get swept along in the wake of life rather than chosing our own course – even if it might mean paddling against the current at times. Wow, I feel all inspired now.
What are you doing with that inspiration?? Do tell.
Great post Cynthia. How easy it is to get swept along in the wake of life rather than chosing our own course – even if it might mean paddling against the current at times. Wow, I feel all inspired now.
What are you doing with that inspiration?? Do tell.
"Stability comes from knowing your power to control your mind and choosing the emotional middle path. "
For me, this is the most important thing to remember. I am currently surrounded by people with extreme highs and lows. I offer assistance and congratulations where I can but urge my friends to find a "level" – the emotional middle path.
The middle path also helps me to remain level and not be tossed by the waves of others.
It takes real focus to maintain, doesn’t it. For me, I didn’t master this until the alternative hi’s and lo’s became too difficult to bear.
You stay the course, Patty!
🙂
Cynthia, your words have always represented a candle in the darkness for me. I love this post, so beautiful and on point.
Thank you. You are lovely inside and out.