Life is full of important lessons. I remember how proud I was when I learned to drive a car, balance a checkbook, change my babies’ diapers. But these pale in comparison to the importance that the following six lessons have meant to my life.
The “Big Six” (listed in no priority order)
1) We are all connected to a greater consciousness at work in the universe.
I get a little nervous mentioning God/Spirit/Higher Power because I have spent most of my life as a non-believer, yet I cannot emphasize enough how important it was to learn this lesson.
We can see the proof in the most basic human function, thinking. Have you ever wondered where your thoughts come from? Even the greatest surgeon cannot cut you open and find the source of your thoughts. Thoughts come from a dimension beyond our five senses. They emerge from a deep well of a creative, loving consciousness that is much larger than us. I can sense this connection in my writing where creative thoughts come through some mystical funnel from that Higher Source.
Awareness of this Higher Source brings me an inner calm. Even when my life seems in turmoil, I realize things are in harmony with a greater purpose.
2) We possess the power to create our reality.
For many of us, the ability to manifest our reality has remained hidden from us. We believe we are helpless, like a steel ball ricocheting from one bumper to another in some giant pinball machine of life.
This concept is as real as the pull of gravity. What we project about ourselves always comes bouncing back to us. When you assume you are unworthy of love, the Universe will send plenty of affirmation for that belief. Similarly, if the self you project is more positive, you will get more positive support.
If you can pick different thoughts and beliefs, you can change your life. As I become more adept at removing negative thoughts and replacing them with positive ones, my life has improved considerably.
3) If you don’t learn to love yourself, no one else can do it for you.
The logic of this lesson may seem obvious, but many of us have grown up believing we were not good enough to deserve love. This belief has created a hole in our soul.
The good news is that, no matter how often you failed at relationships, you will attract more loving partners if you can own and love your own worth and beauty, just as it is. No one can else can fill this hole but you.
4) You know you are fulfilling your life purpose when you are helping to create a greater good.
Everything in the universe is in harmony. This means that every life serves a valuable role. Regardless of your profession or social status, if what you are doing is helping create a greater good, you are on your right path.
I wasted a lot of time trying to force the outcomes of success, status and wealth I wanted. Realizing all I need to do is concentrate on helping to create a greater good has taken a lot of stress out of my life.
5) Because we all come from the same source, every living being has value.
All living things are important and, although you may not see it, in the eyes of our Higher Source, there is no hierarchy that makes one purpose or one creature more important than another.
Our equality and value are unquestionable. Judging, comparing, and discriminating is an act of our ego. By replacing these negative angels of our nature with love, reverence and acceptance of the value of others, our new perception will validate the beauty of every life we encounter.
6) Our purpose for being is to develop into our Highest Self.
For most of my years on this earth, I held a cynical view of life; you lived, a lot of shit happened and—maybe, if you were lucky—you did some good and experienced some happy moments before you died.
Knowing I am meant to develop into my Highest Self has given my life a richer meaning and has converted my experiences—even the painful ones—into important lessons that helped me grow. This process has given me great inner peace and, although nothing justifies the evil and wicked deeds some have done to me, I understand people cannot behave higher than their level of consciousness. When you notice that, you can begin to see that everyone of us is doing the best we know how while we continue on the road to our Highest Self.
This also means you don’t have to worry about having the right house, partner, job and car because you will stop measuring genuine success in those terms.
Conclusion
We are connected to a Source far beyond our individual self. Choosing to connect your heart and mind to this Higher Power puts you on the path of contentment and fulfillment.
Photo by Shifaz Abdul Hakkim on Un
