
Today, I came across a note posted in a friend’s Facebook profile about coming to crossroads in life and taking the “safe” option because most people equate that with stability and security. I smiled wryly as I read her comments about regretting the things that you decided not to do, and living with the outcomes of your decisions, especially the “risky” ones.
This is what “surrender and acceptance” means. Make that decision and surrender the outcome to the Divine. Then, accept the result, no matter what it is, with a heart full of gratitude.
So what if there’s a chance you might get hurt? A child falls many times before he/she becomes adept at walking. And, as I was saying to a new-old friend, it’s the painful lessons that we learn the most from. The more painful it is, the more likely you are to remember it.
Funnily enough, this happened right at a time when I find myself standing at a sort-of crossroad that resulted from recent developments in my life. And just this morning, I had asked the Universe to give me a sign to help me make a decision.
I had spent most of yesterday in contemplation, listening to the proverbial “angel” and “devil” sitting on each of my shoulders arguing it out … Except that it wasn’t a battle between “good” and “evil”. It was more like Head versus Heart, “safe and logical” versus “potentially painful”.
The illogical combination of unconditional love and selfishness (as Osho defines it, not according to the popularly used negative connotation) was enough to throw the mind into a tailspin. “It will never work!” screamed the Head.
But it does work. I should know. I am experiencing the result of that combination. Except that, with this particular case, the tables will be turned.
So, the question is not about whether it will work, because it does. The question is, whether attachment will creep in and mess with the alchemy.
“So what if it does?” asks the Heart. “Either way, you will emerge stronger and wiser from it. Either way, you will evolve. And either way, you did not let a chance to help the other pass you by.”
My friend ended her post with the lyrics from Leona Lewis’ song, Happy … Again, I smiled wryly as I read them:
Happy (Leona Lewis)
Someone once told me that you have to choose
What you win or lose
You can’t have everything
Don’t you take chances
You might feel the pain
Don’t you love in vain
Cause love won’t set you free
I could stand by the side
And watch this life pass me by
So unhappy
But safe as could be
(*)So what if it hurts me?
So what if I break down?
So what if this world just throws me off the edge
My feet run out of ground
I gotta find my place
I wanna hear myself
Don’t care about all the pain in front of me
Cause I’m just trying to be happy
Just wanna be happy
Holding on tightly
Just can’t let it go
Just trying to play my role
Slowly disappear, oh
All these days they feel like they’re the same
Just different faces, different names
Get me outta here
I can’t stand by the side, oh no
Watch this life pass me by, pass me by
(*)
So any turns that I can’t see
Like I’m a stranger on this road
But don’t say victim
Don’t say anything
(*)
The Heart wins … And the roller-coaster ride continues.
Whoo-hoo!!! LOL!
Post-script: Just after writing this post, I visited my beloved Guru’s website and in the top right corner, where a different “Thought of the Moment” is shown each time, I saw this … “Spirituality is all about feeling and participating in the problems and pains of others.” – Amma
Bemused, I shook my head and smiled.



