Observing our reactions to our experiences

What if we shift our focus, from what a specific experience is telling us about the world or other people, to what our reaction to it is saying about ourselves? Or what the situation is saying about ourselves? I suggest that you re-read the last two sentences and make sure you’ve understood them properly. 

Because this is about a shift in perspective. If I for example respond with anger, hostility or frustration towards a situation, it is telling me something about myself. It says that I have a problem with resistance and acceptance. And it can also say other things, which I will get to in a moment. 

If I have a recurring problem in my life, it might mean that I do things related to that problem in a sloppy manner. And maybe my sloppiness is a way for me to avoid taking responsibility for the things that I have in my life. I’m using examples from my life here by the way. Because it is so easy to get angry at situations and feel like a victim. And it is true that we do get treated unfairly in many ways. We live in a fallen world full of corrupt people that are just waiting for us to make a mistake, so they can get their hands on whatever they can take from us. But if I’m being honest with myself, in almost all cases, I have done something to allow them to do so. 

So, by instead getting angry and frustrated, I am not taking responsibility for my part in allowing corrupt people to get their hands on my belongings.