Resisting Life 2

Here are a few key ways to stop resisting life and find more peace:

1. Practice Mindfulness

One of the most effective ways to stop resisting life is to develop mindfulness. This means being fully present in the moment, without judgment or attachment to how things should be. When we’re not mindful, we tend to get caught up in stories about the past or worries about the future, which leads to resistance. Mindfulness helps you become aware of your thoughts, emotions, and reactions without getting swept away by them.

Start by taking a few moments each day to simply focus on your breath, paying attention to the sensations in your body. As thoughts arise, acknowledge them without judgment and gently bring your focus back to your breathing. This practice builds the awareness needed to recognize when you’re resisting something, and it gives you space to choose a different response.

2. Let Go of Control

A huge part of resisting life comes from the desire to control outcomes. We want things to turn out a certain way, and when they don’t, we resist. But life is unpredictable. The sooner we accept that we can’t control everything, the less suffering we experience. Letting go of control doesn’t mean becoming passive or indifferent. It means recognizing that while you can influence outcomes, you can’t force life to unfold exactly as you want it to.

Try asking yourself, “What am I trying to control right now?” when you feel tense or frustrated. This helps you see where you’re resisting, and then you can consciously choose to release your grip on the situation. Remind yourself that uncertainty is a natural part of life, and the more you embrace it, the more freedom you’ll feel.

3. Accept What Is

Acceptance is the opposite of resistance. When you accept things as they are, you’re no longer fighting against reality. That doesn’t mean you have to like everything that happens, but it does mean recognizing that certain things are out of your hands, and it’s not your job to make them different.

A helpful practice is to start each day with a brief intention to accept whatever comes your way. It could be as simple as saying, “Today, I accept whatever happens as part of my journey.” This doesn’t mean you can’t take action to change things where possible, but it does mean releasing the emotional resistance to what is.

4. Drop Your Expectations

Expectations are often the root of our resistance. We expect people to act a certain way, situations to unfold as we imagine, or life to be smooth and easy. When reality doesn’t meet our expectations, resistance kicks in. The problem is, expectations often set us up for disappointment, because life rarely aligns perfectly with our imagined outcomes.

Start noticing when you have expectations about something. Are you expecting someone to behave in a specific way? Are you expecting your day to go according to a certain plan? Awareness of your expectations can help you loosen your attachment to them. The key is to approach life with curiosity rather than rigid expectations. Instead of, “This should happen,” try thinking, “I wonder what will happen.” This shift opens you up to experience life as it is, rather than constantly resisting what doesn’t align with your expectations.

5. Embrace Change

Change is inevitable, but it’s also one of the most common triggers for resistance. We resist change because it pulls us out of our comfort zone, and as humans, we like predictability. However, resisting change doesn’t stop it from happening—it only creates more suffering. Embracing change as a natural part of life allows us to flow with it instead of fight against it.

Next time you’re faced with change, ask yourself, “How can I grow from this?” Reframe change as an opportunity for growth and learning, even when it feels uncomfortable. By embracing change instead of resisting it, you develop resilience and flexibility, which makes navigating life’s ups and downs much easier.

6. Face Your Fears

Resistance often comes from fear. We resist because we’re afraid of pain, failure, rejection, or the unknown. The way to stop resisting is to face those fears head-on. Ask yourself, “What am I really afraid of here?” Is it the fear of losing something or someone? Fear of not being good enough? Once you identify the fear, you can begin to soften its hold on you.

Courage doesn’t mean you’re never afraid; it means you act despite the fear. When you acknowledge your fears instead of running from them, you take away their power. The more you face your fears, the less you’ll feel the need to resist.

7. Cultivate Gratitude

Gratitude is a powerful tool for dissolving resistance. When we’re caught up in resisting life, we often focus on what’s wrong or what’s missing. Gratitude shifts our focus to what’s good and what’s present in our lives right now. This simple change in perspective makes it much harder to resist life because you start to appreciate the beauty of the moment, even when things aren’t perfect.

Take a moment each day to reflect on a few things you’re grateful for, no matter how small. This could be the warmth of the sun, a good meal, or a kind word from someone. As you practice gratitude regularly, you’ll notice a softening in your resistance, as your mind begins to focus more on abundance and less on what’s lacking.

8. Develop Self-Compassion

Sometimes, we resist life because we resist ourselves. We judge ourselves harshly, feeling like we should be different, better, or more successful. This self-judgment creates a lot of inner tension and resistance. Developing self-compassion means being kind to yourself, especially when things don’t go the way you want. Instead of criticizing yourself for mistakes or setbacks, treat yourself with the same kindness you would offer a friend.

When you practice self-compassion, you’re less likely to resist life’s challenges because you’re not adding to your own suffering by being hard on yourself. You become more accepting of your imperfections and more resilient in the face of difficulties.

Conclusion

Stopping the resistance to life is a process of awareness, acceptance, and letting go. By practicing mindfulness, dropping expectations, embracing change, and cultivating self-compassion, you can start to let go of the need to fight against the flow of life. The more you accept life as it is, the less suffering you’ll experience, and the more peace you’ll find within yourself.

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Click here to see part 1 of this blog.

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You can heal your life.  You have nothing to lose, and remember,

Thoughts Have Power.

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All rights reserved.  © 2023 Tony Jarrah