Don’t Despair

Don’t Despair

Don’t Despair. Not Now. Not Ever. Lots of changes are happening. Reality may appear discouraging. It’s important however, to look beyond surface appearances. This week, my car overheated on a long drive, and cost a lot to repair. I had planned to return the car I am driving to my daughter who lives in another state. The good news is that the breakdown did not occur on the long trip across the mountains. The week was intense.

When we drop into survival (which I did), we lose our ability to problem solve. That is one of our best assets. Contraction compresses us, and we can’t think as clearly. So here’s what I did. I tried to think about how glad I was that I had help. I didn’t burn up my car or my engine (despite the smoke that came rolling out from under the hood). I had someone come up and help me diagnose the problem. My sister helped me find a place to get the car repaired. I did my best not to worry. I remembered (like a far away dream) how the universe has come through again and again for me when I have needed housing and transportation. I kept looking for signs. Money came into my bank account for the repairs (money I didn’t expect for another seven days).

Unexpected I was referred to a job for five days that replaced five sevenths of the car expense. Amazing. As I canvas different towns, I find that some people are in despair about the economy or about the government, or about the negativism of various campaigns. Some people are overwhelmed by all the phone calls, the blizzard of TV ads, and people knocking on their doors to vote. These people don’t see how it could matter if they vote, or who they vote for.

Despair clouds your thinking. Despair sends you deep into survival thinking. Despair makes you feel like a victim. Your vibration, and what you offer to the universe is very apt to attract more opportunities for you to feel despair, and be victimized. It is for your own wellbeing that you must not despair. Turn your attention to what is working. Find simple things to be grateful for. I found myself saying to people who were going to vote differently “Isn’t it great that we live in a democracy and have the freedom to differ!” And then found myself truly appreciating democracy in a new way.

Do you love having air to breathe, food to eat, clothes to wear? Do you have some transportation? Do you know people you love and care about? Are you cared for? Can you see, hear, taste, breathe and feel? Can you walk? Do you have the use of your arms? These are all good things. Some people don’t. When you think about appreciating these things you do have, often you take a deep breath and go “Oh yes, that feels better.”

When we feel just a little bit of relief, we help move ourselves out of despair – up the emotional scale
Life gets better. An increment at a time.

Despair