Earth School is in session.

Congratulations. You are officially enrolled in Earth School.

What? You don’t remember enrolling?  Automatic enrollment came as part of the deluxe package when you were born.  You arrived fully equipped on this planet with that fresh new baby smell.

Today’s lesson:  If you’re unhappy, frustrated, or disappointed with your current life, you have the power to change it.

Everyone has problems – or should I say lessons.   Some of us are quick to get it and others are in the slow learner class.  Our lives become the classroom and all the people and circumstances become our teachers.  (Picture that for a moment!)  Welcome to a challenging but highly intriguing personal course of study called:  “All About You”.

When does class end?  If you’re still breathing, you’re still in class.

How did you manage to sign up for so many difficult classes?  And how do you learn the lesson and move on?   Sit up straight because class begins now.

When attempting to solve a problem, do you complain and rehash all the negative aspects of the situation?  Do you believe that with sufficient blame and resentment toward the offending party, they’ll suddenly change?  Good luck with that.

By constantly reviewing and complaining you are actually creating a sea of negativity and convincing the mind that there is no answer to this problem.  All you’re doing by rehashing is chasing your tail and accomplishing nothing.  No matter how much you think about the problem, the subconscious mind can only offer the one suggestion that you’ve taught it – “There’s no solution.”  (More info:  Your Amazing Mind)

Where are you investing your energy?  Is it going into negative complaining or are you investing in a more positive and productive plan?

By positive I do not mean being a goodie two shoes or Pollyanna.  Sure, pretending to be positive may look a lot NICER, but NICE is only a bandaid.  The power is in learning to listen to the hidden positive messages in your negative feelings or experiences and then taking action.

Take A Step Toward Changing the Pattern:

If you’re upset in any way, it’s your inner mind or spirit trying to get through to you that something needs to change and you’re the one who needs to do it.   It’s time to stop focusing on the outer problem and start listening to the inner voice for the solution.

Since over the years you’ve slowly turned down the volume on the inner voice, the problems have to become more irritating to get your attention.  (The teacher has to raise her voice.)

You’re the director of your own life.  You have a choice.

Are you willing to listen to yourself at a deeper level or will you continue to be a zombie going back to your daily routine doomed to walk the earth grumbling and rehashing negativity?   OK, maybe you’re a NICE zombie but you’re still a zombie.

There is valuable information in your discomfort, anger, frustration, or broken heart.  Get in, get the information and then get out of the negative.  Negativity has value -  just don’t put up tent and camp out there. The price is too high and the place smells bad.

How do you find the hidden positive message in negativity?

Random example:  Let’s say you have a friend with a sad story who is constantly hitting you up for favors.  “Hey, I’m desperate.  Would you mind helping me move 87 rusty VW passenger doors this weekend? Can we use your new truck and could you lend me $200?”   In the beginning you were a “good friend” and automatically said yes.  More and more requests came in and you told yourself it was no big deal even though it was getting irritating and inconvenient.  (That was the first wake up alarm.  You continued snoozing.)

As your irritation grew toward this person, the wake up alarm was getting louder. You tried to say no but your friend had a way of working you.

Soon your “sad story” friend had you on speed dial for favor after favor and you became so annoyed that you didn’t want to answer the call.  But you did.   The irritation turned to anger in an attempt to get your attention and deliver the message: “This situation is NOT OK.  It’s not working for you.  You’ve been negotiating against yourself and that must change.”

Anger, irritation, frustration, sadness, disappointment, or hopelessness are the wake up alarms or messengers telling you to WAKE UP.

Rather than wasting time complaining about what a jerk someone else is, think of them as your teacher. You allowed yourself to be treated that way.  What’s the lesson they’re helping you learn?   Begin by taking responsibility for your part in the situation and the answer will be clear.

Self responsibility and self criticism are NOT the same thing.  Don’t bother blaming or complaining about yourself.  That’s more of chasing your own tail.   When you own your part in any problematic situation, you put yourself in a position to make positive changes.  You’re back in the driver’s seat, back in your balanced power.

Homework:

Next time a problem arises, ask yourself a few simple questions:

1)  What don’t I Iike about this situation?

2)  What do I really want?  (Hint: For the other person to stop being a jerk is NOT the answer.)

3)  What is my part in this?  How did I contribute to the problem?  (It takes two to Tango. Own it. )

4)  What is one step I can take today to change myself?  What’s a second step?

If you find yourself falling back into the habit of looking at what’s wrong with the other person, stop.  Turn your focus back onto yourself.  That’s where the power is.

Once you get the answer to these questions, you need to TAKE ACTION.   Enlightenment without action is worthless.

Remember your goal is to change yourself – not to get the other person to change.  (That’s their job.)   Change starts with YOU.  When you make a positive change, it creates a ripple effect and the situation will automatically shift.  Will it happen on the very first step?  Doubt it.  Will the situation be resolved to your 100% satisfaction?  Doubt it.  Don’t let that stop you.   Be strong but gentle with yourself. You’re still in school and you have plenty of time to learn this stuff.  Keep going.

When you make a positive change, everything changes.

Give yourself a gold star.  You earned it.