The first task in a spiritual growth group I belonged to was simple enough.
Divide thought. When a strong emotion wrangles its way to the forefront, split your attention. Rub the back of your hand and notice how it feels. Humans have the capacity to rise above their initial reactions. They are created in such a way that they can choose anger. Blame. Compassion.
Trust.
Ok, ok, when I am a passenger in a car going faster than I prefer I am not amenable to the suggestion that I can decide not to be afraid. But I have mustered the wherewithal to pivot my focus to a book, or music. In the process of being diluted, my fear does subside. Plus it turns out that in recent months I rarely drive anywhere.
World events have been pelting most of us lately. Some pockets of humanity have been spared, and can go about their business without anxiety. But for some of us it takes effort not to be obsessed with calamities.
A task as simple as this one reminds me that while there are a mob of things I cannot control, there are a handful of ones that I can. It suggests to me that there is wiggle room between what happens to us and how we respond.
Those who trust in the Divine are altogether different. Though concerned about the morrow yet are they unconcerned, in that they are not anxious let alone worried, when they give thought to the morrow. They remain even tempered whether or not they realize desires, and they do not grieve over loss. They are content with their lot. If they become wealthy they do not become infatuated with wealth. If they are promoted to important positions they do not consider themselves worthier than
others. If they become poor they are not made miserable either. If lowly in status they do not feel downcast. They know that for those who trust in the Divine all things are moving towards an everlasting state of happiness, and that whatever happens at any time to them it contributes to that state. Arcana Coelestia 8478
