There are seven things to do when life is not unfolding in a positive direction. Complaining, worrying or distracting are not included.

First, purify our actions. Actions begin with our thoughts. Stop and look at our thoughts. Pausing and contemplating what is causing our mind and our life to be this way is the starting point. Is our thought healthy, nourishing, life-supporting or not? If it is positive, then support and expand it. If it is negative, remove energy and attention from it and let it dissolve and return back into consciousness. Let our future actions arise from positive thoughts.

Second, assume responsibility. Our lives are the sum total of our thoughts and actions. We have the intelligence and energy to create our life and we have the duty to accept that. Our life is our creation.

Third, let go of attachment to the past. Attachment to wrong action in the past limits our ability to be free to create what is healthy and evolutionary. Keep attention in the present, on the positive, on what is supporting our evolution.

Fourth, listen for the voice of God. God comes before us in different ways. Usually He does not appear in a cloud of ethereal light, but He does speak through others; our friend, our partner, our boss, a stranger a situation. Listen and understand that God is always bestowing grace and clarity if we are open to receiving. How does it feel? Don’t reject criticism, advice or instruction. Always contemplate what you hear and feel the energy of that. It might feel grating if our ego is being worked on, but if there is an energy of expansion and virtue, accept it. If it is the opposite reject it.

Fifth, be disciplined. When things are going wrong, this is time to re-assert control over ourselves. This is not about someone else. This is always and only about us. That is the only control that is possible. Check our senses and the pleasure we seek. Check our habits and the routines we have developed. Check our feelings and emotional responses. Check our thoughts, especially our reactions, judgments, attachments and aversions.

Six, resolve to create what is in alignment with our evolution. When our hearts are attached to goodness, compassion and virtue, that will keep us free from any evil. Where we put our heart and attention is where our journey leads us. Resolution is required to avoid being battered by habit and all the impressions of our past actions. Resolution keeps us out of delusion.

Seven, give our life to God. This means continually bringing our attention back to God. Keep the highest in front of us, in our thoughts, words and actions. This will align every action with the highest and lead to the highest. One can believe in God, believe in righteousness, believe in compassion, but unless we make it our own – own it – it will just be a wish, it will belong to someone else. Make it ours.

Blessings,