“Disperse hard attitudes with gentleness.”
This morning’s I Ching was another kind reminder that the obstacles faced are best tackled in quiet confidence, perseverance, and faith. Rather than do battle with the challenges that are currently before me, I am reminded to trust my journey, stay on my path, and find peace midst the chaos.
Embracing the emotions of judgement, anger, fear, anxiety, or desire fosters makes us structured and inflexible — especially in moments of conflict. As these emotions are adverse to our peace, they are also the emotions that will slow or interrupt our progress.
I have historically taken on conflict. Put me in an environment where there is a battle of wills and I will fight to the end. If the battle is between someone I struggle to respect or admire, the battle is even greater and more intense. The outcome of these conflicts rarely ended well. Even if I “won” victory came at some cost.
Despite all that I have accomplished in the past few years, this quote is a stern warning to strengthen one of my weaker traits. In the face of conflict, obstruction, or adversity girding for battle or fighting through is not the path to accomplishment.
The correct path to peace, joy and happiness in life is to face conflict with gentleness. Discover and embrace the positive energy that drives me — write, ride, read, and meditate. From this point of positive emotion — superior emotion is what the I Ching calls it — the negative energy of the obstacle flows past me and the answers or the solution is presented to me.
When life’s adversity jumps in front of me and attempts to slow my journey, the best course of action is to go that place of gentleness — trust, faith, and confidence. From this place of peace the solution or the opportunity is discovered. Avoid the conflict, embrace the peace from within.
