Simon Biles had dropped out of an event in the Olympics citing she knew she couldn’t perform according to what others expected of her. We all can relate to the heavy, limiting feeling expectations of others. We eschew this heaviness by opening to our best at each moment, embracing all possibilities. Rather than live according to expectations, we aim to do our best at each moment. If that isn’t enough for others, remember that you don’t have to answer to them.

Brad4d Savasana

The heaviness of expectation

Love songs often point to Eros, which is romantic love. They often point to “new” love, which often morphs into the deeper, agape love which is all-pervasive. Some songs can be conceived as love songs from God. Simon and Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water” can be one of them.

Let God be your bridge over troubled water

Desiring success might motivate us, but we must not let it consume us. It feeds on your deep-seated desire to belong or be loved. Remain aware of how far you’ve come, and balance success with a little bit of humility.

Success moves its goalposts

Some of the best teachings are the most difficult because they pull us out of complacency. We become refined in the fire of tapas. But many will give up or bypass the difficult, thinking it’s unnecessary. The hardest teachings are there to transform us so that we truly become new.

“This teaching is hard”

If we move about the world looking for occasions to be offended, we’ll never find peace. We’re simply waiting for other people to behave the way we deem appropriate, and that might never happen. Instead, we can look at an emotional reaction with an inquiring mind. Not everything is about us.

When we’re offended

We often want to be heard, to tell our story. This, too, can speak of ego. If we think, pray, and live human truth, it doesn’t matter if we’re heard. Those who want to listen will be drawn to you. Those who do not still need to prepare their hearts. Your actions will be seen, and they will listen when they are ready.

Needing to be heard?

So much junk science slips through the cracks of more reputable publications. Because it’s so easy to publish, many people write articles that promote their products while providing misinformation to help sell. Then an uncritical reader will share this article, thinking that it’s valid because it was published on a somewhat reputable platform. We need to be more discerning about media that we read and share.

How misinformation slips through the cracks

Ponds rely on the rain to sustain them, while lakes are fed by rivers and mountains. One is stagnant and one is continually replenished. If we’re not connected to something bigger, some greater source, our self-regard might dry up.

Are you a pond or a lake?

We love to play the blame game, don’t we? We look to find someone else to blame for our suffering without recognizing how we might be playing a part in our suffering. Eventually, we find a way to live without blame, recognizing that all of us are doing the best we can according to our level of consciousness.

When we blame

How often do we stuff a variety of thoughts into one sensory experience? We love to judge, infer, and augment each moment rather than remain open to the purity of an unfiltered experience. This is where we can experience the inner silence and peace and find connection with life.

Experience open awareness

When we encounter something, we often seek the opinions of others before we form our own. I did the same when I encountered the crowdfunded series, “The Chosen.” Of course, I didn’t find much opinion about it. This allowed me to fully experience the series without the bias of others to color my experience. With any experience, we can use this simple criterion: Does this nurture my becoming a better servant for others?

Disregard the opinions of others

We all get stuck in routines. They make us feel comfortable, but they also lure us into complacency. This keeps us from realizing where our path might be changing. We must do something different, even though our stuck mindset doesn’t want to move. Yet there’s a part of you deep within that says, “Shut up and do it!” You’d be surprised at what you missed.

“Shut up and do it”

When times in our lives are rough, we often wonder, “Where is God?” Or we become so consumed with fixing things ourselves that we forget about God. During these times, we’re called to make a shift—to do something different. If you take off the blinders of your habits or routines, you might find God is exactly where you are.

God meets us where we are

When life feels so heavy, we must pause for a moment and find one small thing for which to be grateful. Just one small degree towards gratitude can set your day along a better course. Nature can help, whether it’s a cool breeze in a heatwave or a little diddy from a robin.

Nature’s little diddies

Mathieu Van der Poel’s epic finish at Stage 2 of the Tour de France gives us motivation. While “climbing” the Mur-de-Bretagne—the wall of Brittany—he had to reach deep within to find the strength to break away from the other cyclists. It would be the memory of his grandfather, the late Raymond Poulidor, that would push him beyond his limit and toward his finish. We can do it, too. It’s just a matter of gritting our teeth and focusing.

Climb that wall

Hear some daily spiritual insights before you start your day, evening, or meditation. Take a breath, take a listen, then take care.

hubhopper

Brad4d Savasana

hubhopper