Lesson 5: I am never upset for the reason I think: This lesson wisely interprets the Course’s wisdom in this sentence: “There are no small upsets. They are all equally disturbing to my peace of mind.”

This always stops me in my forward motion because it explains that all things are equal and should be perceived as such. My ego runs full force ahead, complaining about everything that I think is worse than something else, and I do not want to run out and forgive it because doing so feels unmanageable.

For me, especially chronic pain feels so over the top, and it feels like I can not include it in the category in which I can find solace in forgiving. Debilitating pain is far beyond what my ego is willing to deal with, so I often forget at the moment that I am capable of ignoring my pain. It feels like too much to ask my ego or accomplish because it is too big to handle.

  So I am so thrilled I get to read the Course and listen to this wisdom that there are no minor upsets, so I need to find it within my heart to forgive my pain and allow it to heal by not suffering over it, feeling unmanageable.

Even though overlooking something like my chronic pain feels way too much than I can manage because my ego feels like this is so hard I can not handle, I am grateful the Course says that I am capable of doing that even though my ego complains and insists it is impossible.

Knowing this will help me, as explained by the Course, then allow me to approach forgiving my chronic pain with more belief that I can do it and more enthusiasm, so it makes me feel softer about the request to dismiss and approach it with kindness and openness. 

 In general, I benefit from this idea that everything is forgivable, and I need to insert it into my memory banks that all upsets are forgivable. My ego likes to complain about everything, so it helps me dramatically to keep this wisdom at the forefront of my mind’s thinking.

Forgiving allows me to keep something from interfering with my day and will enable me to heal my mind so I do not suffer over anything, so it is worth doing. I need to remind myself to do it when I overlook how essential forgiveness is in applying it to my everyday life. So, my job is to show up, take action, and allow forgiveness to heal my life. 

All Love,

 Laurie Prezbindowski

 Licensed Acupuncture