Conquer Resistance PART II
Hi and Welcome back to the Art of Onward!
Today’s post is PART II of a Series I’m writing for you about RESISTANCE or PARADIGMS …. that backward/downward grab that appears to come out of nowhere whenever we take a few steps in our forward direction.
In PART I, I mention we should Celebrate Resistance. That’s hard to do, because it can effectively cut us off at our knees if we aren’t prepared for it. So why celebrate this cruel element when it appears, you ask?
Because it means we ACTUALLY TOOK THOSE STEPS FORWARD. So, pat yourself on the back, and acknowledge your hard work is paying off.
Dogs don’t bark at parked cars. Right? So if they’re barking at you,
it’s because you’ve started to move.
And that’s what Your Onward
is all about.
In Part I I wrote about various ways we can strengthen ourselves in order to be better prepared for when Resistance arrives. In today’s post, we’ll talk more about what causes Resistance, and how to spot it.
My favourite book to head to on this topic, is “The War of Art”. I’m an artist, and therefore found it very useful a number of years ago. But the laws are applicable for all personality types and everyone's journey, regardless of where they're at - we take steps forward, and we get pulled back.
This excerpt is from that very book, "The War of Art” by Steven Pressfield.
“Here are a few activities that commonly elicit Resistance (in no particular order):
1. The pursuit of any calling in writing, painting, music, film, dance, or any creative art…
2. Any diet or health regimen.
3. Any program of Spiritual Advancement.
4. The launching of any entrepreneurial venture or enterprise.
5. Any course or program designed to overcome an unwholesome habit or addiction.
6. Education of any kind.
7. Any act of political, moral, or ethical courage, including the decision to change for the better some unworthy pattern of thought or conduct of ourselves.
8. The undertaking of any enterprise or endeavour whose aim is to help others.
9. Any act that entail commitment of the heart. The decision to get married, have a child, to weather a rocky patch in a relationship.
10. The taking of any principled stand in the face of adversity."
(Clearly I strongly recommend this book)
Resistance is not your friend, can’t be quantified by anything other than the fact it is an energy field. Its job is purely, only, to stop your forward progress. It will lie, cheat and steal in its evil nature to keep each of us as stuck as possible in our now. And who are we as humans if we discontinue our journeys toward growth?
Resistance CAN however, SEEM to use our loved ones, things we really care about, to hurt us. It can be anything from our kids, spouses, friends, jobs … these are not in themselves evil, of course, only timing and circumstances. BUT Resistance actually receives its permission from US. This is our battle. So be gentle with those poor souls who are ‘being used’.
To be aware is to be prepared. Your forward momentum and healing is of primary importance here, and must be protected, guarded and nurtured in every aspect possible. So like I’ve said before, don’t beat yourself up for this, EVERYONE experiences it. It is a force we can and will learn to conquer with practice. And awareness.
And by FACING FEAR. Look Fear in the Face - and you will conquer. Have Courage, Use Courage, and Conquer.
"But Resistance is insidious", says Pressfield. “It will assume any form, if that’s what it takes to deceive you.”
Like I said, it will lie, cheat and steal, it has no conscience. How can we identify it then, if it appears to be surrounding us, and can cajole us into its grip using whatever it takes to get us to fall back?
I hope you’ve had a chance to read the earlier posts on this blog, the self talk and self love will be a strong key to your inner strength.
Your spiritual wellbeing will also be of great help to you.
Nurture your you, and you will find your armour to be stronger as you build new, healthier patterns of self love and worth and - ultimately - self talk.
Some intangible examples of Resistance include:
Doubt
Fear
Negative Thought Patterns
Procrastination
Rationalization
Jealousy
Obsessions
Addictions
Self Sabotage
Un Productive Habits
More tangible examples:
Interruption of your purpose driven focus (phone call, writing, journalling, meditating, etc)
That unexpected expense that comes the moment you think you’re caught up on bills
Any accident
“Cruelty to others is a form of Resistance, as is the willing endurance of cruelty to others”
And then there are those life elements that are just fine in healthy doses, but if consumed too much, can hurt our progress:
TV, Unhealthy Foods, Shopping, Drugs, Alcohol, etc.
To end this post, I leave you with a quote of encouragement:
“Resistance has no Strength of its own. Every ounce of juice to possesses comes from within us. We feed it with our fear of it.
Master that fear, and we conquer Resistance.” - The Art of War; Steve Pressfield.
This is good news, right? If Resistance receives its life from us, we are the ones who can halt it in its tracks.
In Part III we’ll explore Fear further, and will find effective ways to Conquer.
In this coming week, raise your awareness, nurture your spiritual and mental well being, and take a little vacation from fear, to find the path beyond it.
There is joy, fulfillment and wholeness and healing on the other side. I promise. And that smile on your face that will light up your soul, and put the Resistance on notice.
So much Love and Healing to each of you. See you back next week!
~Jewelle
