Most of us are aware that this newer and more discerning (to put it mildly!) energy is more than a bit challenging. It's coercing us into being painfully honest with ourselves....but...that's all Good.
I'll never forget the first time I heard the phrase: "Choose your battles wisely."
We participate in 'battles' to varying degrees...depending upon how emotionally involved we become. Our emotions are seldom our best guides. They spring from the Ego, which makes it, at times, confusing, to say the least.
There is a huge difference between following our emotions and following our hearts. Following our hearts brings about much more subtle and deeper feelings -- that which we know in our souls. To follow our hearts would, therefore, mean doing what we KNOW is for our Highest Good... regardless of what others think, do, or say.
Reactive emotions spring forth from the Ego. I am not implying the Ego is 'bad.' We need it to discern our preferences, but very often those choices are rooted in a very fear-based place. Plus, the Ego has a dreadful need of believing it must always be RIGHT.... prompting us to act on those emotions. We must use our Ego... but not allow it to use us.
WE CREATE OUR OWN REALITY.
I truly believe that. Shit doesn't just happen. Neither do all the good and wonderful things that happen to us. Abraham and many other metaphysical teachers emphasize that things don't just happen 'out of the blue.' More of science is catching up to that!
There is no such thing as anyone being 'totally guilty' or 'totally innocent'... regardless of what our dumbed-down human 'laws' may tell us.
When we get 'into trouble' or things 'happen to us,' it's amazing how the Ego goes into the I Will Justify To Myself And Others How I Feel At All Cost mode...and the 'yeah, but's' and excuses spew forth with volcanic action. The more we can get people to agree with us and 'be on our side' the more deeply we are convinced of our self-righteousness. We may find ourselves thinking "Karma will catch up to you, buddy!!" but we seldom seem to associate karma as the cause of what happened to us. :)
I hesitate using the term karma because I personally don't believe it is 'punishment' but rather a 'result' allowed by the soul/higher self in order to expand a person's consciousness. This means things DO and can happen regardless if we understand why (in the present moment) or not. There are two ways we create our reality: deliberately... or by 'default'-- meaning creation follows mental or physical actions/beliefs of which we are not aware of or paying attention to. Like habits: conscious or subconscious.
But what about when we engage in 'other people's battles?'
It's no different than when we encounter our own personal dilemmas. We make them our own. We believe 'they' are in the right... which can be interpreted as "I" am right. We like to think of it as 'doing the right thing' or being noble. At times that's actually a bit comical. :)
Never has a statement hit me harder than one made by Dick Sutphen in "Life After Life". "Everything you do, you do for yourself." This includes putting your own life at risk to save someone else. Even THIS involves creating your own reality.... on the part of the 'hero' and the so called 'victim.' As judgmental humans we then have a tendency to judge who or what is 'good or bad.' Again, that is fear-based because we are 'afraid of being judged' by anyone/anything else (which can include the old God image.) We have to be 'on the right side'... We truly need to stop deluding ourselves into thinking we are doing things 'for others'... Be careful with words such as: 'I owe it to them'...
... (also ask yourself WHY or WHO said to you: 'you owe it to yourself'...) That can be a double edged sword...think about it...
We cannot save anyone. We can help others... However, when it gets to the point where one is feeling torn, miserable, confused, angry, etc etc... its time to ask "WHY am I doing what I am doing?"...and be excruciatingly honest with yourself. Is it because you are afraid NOT to...for very personal reasons?
As Seth would say: You do not need to justify your own existence...
Namaste'
_/|\_
