| This may come as a surprise, but stress can | | | | experiences and activities feel good, while |
| actually be helpful. This article provides | | | | stress inducing emotions and activities feel |
| what you need to make that happen. | | | | bad. |
| | | | |
| Here's a question about stress for | | | | So, on a biological level, we are guided |
| you¡ | | | | towards that which feels good and away from |
| | | | that which feels bad. And in the same way, on |
| Is stress the enemy - something bad that | | | | a spiritual level, we are guided towards the |
| needs to be done away with as quickly as | | | | Light and away from the Darkness. |
| possible? | | | | |
| | | | When we experience pain from touching |
| If you're like most people, the obvious | | | | something hot, it would be silly to blame the |
| answer is YES. After all, stress is right up | | | | stove. But, this is exactly what most of us |
| there at the top of the list as a leading | | | | do when we are hurt by someone's unkind words |
| cause of almost all disease. Besides that, | | | | or actions. Instead of seeing this as an |
| stress is¡ well, stressful. It just | | | | opportunity for growth and learning, we |
| feels awful. | | | | either look inside and blame ourselves, or we |
| | | | look outside and blame someone or something |
| And, if stress were not the enemy, why would | | | | else. |
| there be so many books and courses on stress | | | | |
| reduction and stress management? | | | | When we are so busy looking elsewhere, we |
| | | | fail to see the Darkness within that is |
| But, what if I told you, in spite of all of | | | | brought forth by the stress response. We fail |
| this, that stress may be your greatest | | | | to see that our emotional response is based |
| spiritual ally - a true and faithful guide | | | | on a misperception, a misunderstanding of the |
| that will lead you closer to the Light and | | | | Divine Plan. |
| Love of your highest spiritual aspirations? | | | | |
| | | | So, if you want to be healed, the message |
| This will take a little explaining. | | | | here is "Bless the Darkness." Wake up and |
| | | | receive it as a gift. Recognize that whatever |
| Experiences such as a sense of flow, | | | | has caused your distress, your response is |
| connectedness, hope and optimism and | | | | simply a misunderstanding of the true nature |
| activities such as being of service, prayer, | | | | of this Divine experiment we are all part of. |
| meditation and practicing forgiveness are | | | | |
| life affirming and health enhancing. These | | | | And when you are able to bring the core |
| experiences and activities can lengthen our | | | | qualities of Love, Acceptance, Compassion and |
| lives and keep us healthy. | | | | Forgiveness towards the perceived |
| | | | transgressor, you move ever closer to |
| On the other hand, the darker side of human | | | | discovering (or should I say remembering) |
| nature creates many opportunities for the | | | | your own true nature. |
| deadening effects of stress, such as worry, | | | | |
| fear, anxiety, anger, and depression. | | | | You are and awesome, mighty and powerful |
| | | | spiritual being. And you have come here to |
| There are also many activities that have been | | | | bring Light into the Darkness. And your ally |
| shown to be life denying and health | | | | and faithful guide, the stress response, is |
| diminishing, such as arguing, lying, | | | | there to tell you whenever the Darkness |
| cheating, stealing, losing a loved one, | | | | arises within you. It is there to bring to |
| getting divorced, and many more. | | | | mind that you have a choice about how you |
| | | | respond. |
| These experiences and activities diminish our | | | | |
| health and rob us of vitality and life. | | | | Effectively managing the stress in your life, |
| | | | therefore, is not just a way to improve your |
| The interesting thing about these lists is | | | | health. It can also be your highest spiritual |
| that, for most folks, the spiritual | | | | calling. |