It's A B*tch Being Conscious

So why do we do it? Why do we maintain working on ourselves when it takes so a lot effort, when w...

Do you ever feel that it takes far more work, more out of you emotionally, to reside a conscious life than it did to live much less-than-consciously? A lot of years ago I had a T-shirt produced with the saying, Its A Bitch Getting Conscious. I wore it on the first day of my Journey Into Ecstasy workshop intensive due to the fact I could count on it to evoke instant, knowing laughter from all the participants.

So why do we do it? Why do we hold working on ourselves when it requires so considerably effort, when wed occasionally rather go here be zoned out, pour a cold one particular, light up a joint or cigarette, or grab the remote? Why do we put ourselves by means of seeming torture for no guaranteed rewards, occasionally paying a hefty value for the privilege of doing so? Are we just masochists disguised as seekers and healers? Is ignorance probably, if not the finest policy, at least a far better a single than relentless self-examination? Who is it that stated that the unexamined life is not worth living? A lot of people might disagree.

I know that Im supposed to answer these rhetorical, teaser questions for you in this paragraph. Im supposed to justify and validate all your difficult function, the income you devote on coaching, therapy, workshops, and books, the courage youve mustered to face your demons. But you know, I dont know why any individual does it.

When my coaching customers express how hard this perform often is all I can do is smile, agree, and cheerlead. I say things like, Doesnt clarity really feel far better than confusion? Doesnt feeling your emotions feel better than walking about numb? Sometimes they give in and admit that they like living in an conscious and awakened state. At times they give me the look that lets me know Im skating on thin ice, that their answer just might be a resounding No! if I werent so chipper.

I can relate. I like the temporary high that blaming and playing the victim offer so effectively. Blaming feeds my ego and playing the victim makes it possible for me to relinquish responsibility for my life. Who wouldnt say, Bring it on!

But the moment recommended site the high leaves, Im stuck with all my hangover signs and symptoms: depression, lower self-esteem, helplessness, and hopelessness. I wake up and see in the mirror somebody who traded the excitement of possibility for the drudgery of inevitability, somebody who is stuck in a rut, reading from a really boring script, complaining often and loudly. I see someone who, whilst familiar, is less than admirable.

Kicking and screaming, or at least whining, I quit the chatter and remind that face in the mirror what the objective of consciousness is: happiness. I tell myself that I am more than the sum of my fears, self-judgments, and limiting beliefs. I quiet the chatter long sufficient to hear my spirits whispers. And when I persevere, I do occasionally stumble onto wonderful and unexpected joy. Far more usually, I locate myself feeling at least a small measure of peace. Im look at this grateful for that. Is it all worth it? I guess every single of us wants to answer that query for ourselves.