Harmony or Upset-able? (this is also my “Spiritual Leader’s article” in Unity at the Lake’s bimonthly newsletter)

My favorite quote from the Buddha goes something like this: “We don’t get upset because of what’s happening; we get upset because we’re upset-able.” In other words, just like happiness, upset is an inside job. And I don’t know about you, but I much prefer harmony; in my day, in my experiences and, perhaps especially, in my relationships. So before I start looking for harmony outside of myself, I need to establish it inside myself. When I do, I become much less upset-able.

It has become clear to me that harmony within does not tend to happen spontaneously; I need to establish it. My mind tends to be hectic and chaotic, prone as it is to outside influences. This makes it difficult for me to attune to the harmony that is always present in life, in Nature, in my God Self. For me, God IS the harmony and balance that is always present even in what seems like chaos; the principles that govern my existence whether things seem harmonious or not…and the only place I can be separate from all is in my awareness. My mind is very good at that bit of separation.

When things are disharmonious, it isn’t as though God just left the scene, but I undoubtedly did. So, it behooves me to constantly remind myself of my oneness with God. I can feed that part of myself by giving it more of my attention and focus, through prayer, meditation, affirmations, journaling, visualization, or whatever. I can spend more time in Nature or listening to music or doing something to attune with a less hectic vibration. I can start my day and indeed every interaction by grounding in what is most important to me, my deepest values and my deepest desires. And I can tap into the joy, love, gratitude, compassion and peace that always abide in my heart before I speak or act. Or think. These things are possible, but it’s me that has to do them.

When I do, I experience harmony. When I do, fewer things seem urgent and I can spend time on things that are important and valuable to me. When I do, I spend more time creating and less reacting (by the way, those two words have the same letters, just in different sequence). Then I notice that what I create in life is much more in line with my core values and intentions. I also notice I am much more able to take whatever comes in my life and use it to unfold more of my divinity.

This summer, I haven’t been doing my usual spiritual routine that I described above. I’ve been out in Nature a lot, but almost none of the rest. And apparently it’s like not drinking enough water: by the time you realize it, your tank is already very low. I’d become quite upset-able lately without really realizing it, and it came to a head the other day. Through that experience I came to realize that it’s not enough to know I am divine Love. I have to affirm it, acknowledge it, appreciate it, fill myself with it and remind myself of it, consciously and often. It’s pretty simple. The more I do, the harder it is for me to forget and the easier it is for me to show it.

The word “harmony” means “to fit together”, and that’s how it feels to me. When I find harmony within myself, everything seems to fit together. I know everyone and everything already does, but only when I establish harmony within myself do I experience that feeling. And when it feels as if everything fits together, I am much less upset-able!

And if that’s all I remember, that’s more than enough for now.

About BittmanBliss

Stew and Hillary Bittman are published authors, international public speakers and workshop leaders, healers, spiritual leaders and peaceful warriors. Coming from an eclectic and extensive background of spiritual traditions, they have inspired people all over the world with their practical message of hope and healing. For over 20 years, The Bittmans have had a mission to awaken the awareness of oneness between the spiritual and the physical. They operated Safe Haven Chiropractic, a healing center based on donations only, for 23 years. Thousands of individuals and families were given the opportunity to embrace their gifts, pursue their dreams and find the peace and wholeness that reside within all of us. Stew and Hillary have traveled the world teaching the principles of life and have participated in 6 chiropractic missions in Central America, bringing those principles to manifestation for literally hundreds of thousands of people. Currently, the Bittmans are the co-Spiritual Leaders of Unity at the Lake, a positive, trans-denominational, spiritual community in South Lake Tahoe, CA. They are on the road to becoming ordained Unity Ministers.
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One Response to Harmony or Upset-able? (this is also my “Spiritual Leader’s article” in Unity at the Lake’s bimonthly newsletter)

  1. Tim Bodzioch says:

    Stew luv the blog ….please keep in loop

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