Swing freely

Attachment to bad experiences in our lives serve as anchor points which prevent us from moving forward and enjoying life's every possibility. Not only do these anchors prevent forward progress, but they offer a comfortable rut which effectively feeds our negative ideas and validate our ego.

When we think of ego, we often think of our pride. Our ego tells us we are important and actions done to us are personal. Therefore when we are wronged, our ego screams, "How could this happen to ME!" as if the offender was out to get us. It may seem as such, but rather the other person is acting in a way that serves him/her regardless of the effect on us. The inconsiderate guy that cuts us off and nearly runs us off the road has no vendetta against us, and yet we react to his car swerving as if he was personally out to kill US. The untrained ego has very little perspective outside of us being the center of the universe.

We become mired in the pain that was inflicted upon us and see the situation in a very black and white way as them against us. If we fail to resolve the issue, understand our culpability in the situation, and move on, we allow a hurt to fester and slowly eat at us. We can all recall a painful incident with an individual that smarts as much as it did when it first happened. Recollection is healthy, but rumination is not. It is important to recognize the patterns which place us in situations that may or may not be to our benefit. However, when we walk around with a suspicious eye, waiting for the axe to fall so to speak so that we may be prepared, we are robbing ourselves of the freedom to experience life unencumbered; without the ghosts of the pasts clouding our present.

Releasing ourselves from the binding of pain can help us get an objective view of ourselves and those who surround us. We will forever be affected by any given incident, but we cannot be solely defined by it. The infinite opportunities for happiness can seemingly disappear when our focus is on that which is/was wrong. As all things change and evolve, we must allow our hearts to forgive and breathe openly so that the light of life may shine through.

Unhinge yourself from past pains so that you may swing freely through life as intended.