Same Action, Different Heart
How a Water Bottle Reminded Me to Stay in my Right Mind
I was standing by the edge of Sarasota Bay after my morning walk the other day when a gust of wind blew a plastic water bottle into the shimmering water in front of me. Before I could grab it, the wind continued pushing the bottle further from shore. I could feel myself getting angry at whoever left that bottle in the parking lot. And maybe a little angry at myself for not being willing to jump in and fetch that bottle because it was quite far away and I wasn’t wearing a bathing suit. In that moment, I will admit I wasn’t practicing what I teach.
When I allow the ego to take over my thoughts, my mind fills with frustration and judgment (of myself and others.) Not only does that not feel good, but from that place, I rarely make great decisions.
Luckily, I remembered to ask Spirit to help me see things differently. I know whoever left the bottle didn’t purposely do it to endanger the inhabitants of the ocean. Lots of people go paddle boarding and kayaking in Sarasota Bay. I envisioned someone plucking it out of the water later. And I was reminded that I had picked up several aluminum cans and water bottles earlier on my walk. At least those wouldn’t be blown into the bay. These thoughts helped me release my anger and start to feel better.
In everything we do, we have a choice: act from fear, or act from love. And whichever we choose will determine how we feel.
I could pick up trash with anger in my heart toward the humans who didn’t dispose of it properly. Or I could pick it up with love in my heart for all the sea creatures that would benefit from cleaner water. When I keep them in mind, I feel happy and peaceful.
It’s the same action. I’m still bending over to pick up plastic bags or empty beer cans, but there’s no resentment when I’m coming from love. As A Course in Miracles teaches, the two thought systems are mutually exclusive.
Speaking of the Course, a few years ago I read a story written by another A Course in Miracles teacher who found herself getting very upset at dog owners who didn’t clean up after their pets along a wooded path she liked to walk. When she asked Spirit for help, she received a surprising answer: Instead of getting angry at what you perceive as irresponsible pet owners, why not bring little bags and clean up any dog poop you encounter along the trail?
Her ego resisted. I know mine would! But when she surrendered to the suggestion, it surprised her how much her experience was transformed. Instead of focusing on her resentments, she was able to return to the simple joy of being outdoors.
Now I’m not saying everyone should walk around with doggy bags or pick up every piece of trash they see on the ground. Although you might feel inspired to do that.
But I am inviting you to do some self-reflection. Where might you be more focused on what a stranger or a loved one isn’t doing rather than what they are doing? Would it feel more peaceful to simply put your partner’s dirty dishes in the dishwasher rather than stewing over the fact that they always leave them in the sink?
True, it’s not helpful to always take on other people’s responsibilities. That can leave us feeling depleted. But consider which actions…and which thoughts…will help you return to peace most quickly.
We can perform the exact same actions with love or anger in our hearts. It’s always a choice.
This was a central theme in Anita Moorjani’s book Dying to Be Me. During her near-death experience, she became aware of how many choices she had made based on her fear of getting cancer rather than love for a healthy body. For instance, she was buying organic produce out of fear, not love. The distinction may be subtle but it is a powerful shift.
Anita also saw how many of her choices were made to keep other people happy rather than do what felt authentic to her. She believes the inauthentic choices contributed to her getting sick. If you haven’t read this book, I highly recommend it. Her story is both compelling and inspiring.
So here are some questions to ponder this week. Is there something that is consistently stealing your peace? If so, is there a way to hold it differently in your heart so that peace can return? Can you perform more of your daily activities with love? Can you invest more of your time and energy into working toward something you believe in rather than against something you don’t want?
In my experience, the difference is quite startling.
If you could use some help seeing a situation through the lens of love, I would be honored to offer some alternate perspectives through Spiritual Coaching sessions or a private Family Constellations session. Both can help you see things from a different angle, allowing for a different experience. Please visit my website for more information or to schedule a session.
Until next time…may all of your choices and actions be infused with love.
Where fear has gone there love must come, because there are but these alternatives. Where one appears, the other disappears. And which you share becomes the only one you have.
A Course in Miracles ~ T-28.V.2:4-6