[blockquote source=”Buddha”]”There is no path to happiness. Happiness is the path. [/blockquote]

I read the most beautiful passage this morning, from author Pema Chodron – in which she discusses our propensity for being bothered…for letting the simple things get ‘under our skin.’

“The only time you can find out you’re in a prison,” she offers, “is when you’re upset. When you get all heated, when you find yourself quarreling with someone about anything because you want it your way.

And, they’re wrong… and, you’re right.”

We’ve all had these moments, haven’t we? The room is too hot, or that guy over there just won’t shut up. We become so easily distressed, torn and diminished.

Though, instead of looking at this as an opportunity to heal, we become immersed in the energy of the moment…lock-stepped in the pattern of our emotional habits.

Instead of leaning in, we avert.

Have we become so conditioned that everything must follow form to expectation? That when things don’t go our way, we feel a sense of loss?

Or, worse yet – that we may feel, inadequate…or that, in some way, we have failed.

Why must we personalize the very moment that transformation might begin? As, in doing so – we’re only making room for judgement to take its hold.

We instinctively look for the cause of our unsettledness – it’s their problem, or my problem. There’s just no end.

We cast and/or accept blame just as easily as we change our shoes.

Sit for a minute, my darlings – be patient. What is this moment really trying to share with you? And, then ask yourself, as Pema encourages:

“Do I want to strengthen what I’m feeling now?”

When you become open to this simple question – my darlings, I promise you…your whole life will change.

“Actually, this is the juice of the spiritual path. When you begin to get stubborn and opinionated and righteously indignant and hot under the collar…and panicked that things aren’t going your way. That’s the only way you know.

That’s the only way you know that you’re making yourself unhappy, (that) you’re imprisoning yourself.” – Pema Chodron

Indeed, perhaps the most important question you might ever ask is,

“Is this the life I choose for myself?”