Accept What Troubles Befall

If all misfortunes were laid in one common heap whence everyone must take an equal portion, most people would be contented to take their own and depart. Socrates

I am recovering from cancer surgery and doing quite well. However not a day goes by that I am not haunted with an ache, a pain or a reminder of the possibility that the cancer will return. Most days I push the negative thoughts away and go on living my life embracing the day, the hour, the moment.

We all get caught up in our own troubles and illnesses and can slip into that place of despair. Nothing brings you out of self concern than to hear the tragedy of another person. I share this story with you because it can give us all time to pause and be grateful.

I met a young woman of forty-one who told me the story of her younger sister. Her sister met the man of her life at about age thirty and was about to get married when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. The young man loved her and they got married despite her illness. Soon after her marriage she had surgery and radiation to the breast and the lungs. It appeared that the cancer arrested itself and she was on the rebound so she decided to start a family.

She got pregnant and carried a baby boy to six months. He was born prematurely with undeveloped lungs. The doctors told her it was probably due to the radiation treatment she had received and that she might not be able to carry a baby to full term. She is thirty-six. She is a young woman who has had to carry a mighty tough load at such an early age.

Her sister tells me she remain positive. I dont know this girl but her burden has been on my mind this week. One of the many lessons of yoga is to learn to accept that which comes into your life. Detach the emotion and allow your karma to phase itself out. This will bring contentment into your life and contentment is a step along the pathway to reaching enlightenment.

This all sounds very good in theory but in reality when a disease or tragedy strikes it is very difficult not to feel sorry for you. Contentment is one of the vital laws of observance as taught in yoga. Basically contentment means that we should be content with what we have and not crave or desire that which we have not earned. It means we should not be disappointed with what does not come into our lives. We also should not be overly elated with what does come into our lives. That which is taken from you is not taken from you but converted into something that you need more dearly.

Understanding this wisdom of life brings contentment. It is a difficult task in the modern day world to be contented with what we have and not wish for more or to feel sorry for that which has been taken from us.

But if we listen quietly we often experience the joy of all the good bestowed upon us and can always find someone who suffers more which brings us full circle to the blessings of our own life. If given the chance we all would pick up our own burdens and be thankful for the blessing or lesson that comes from the struggle to find contentment in a world that challenges our peace of mind day by day and moment by moment.

Doctor Lynn - www.doctorlynn.com