July 22, 2022 
Having the ‘right stuff’ to disengage from a negative moment is a reach into ‘free again, independent me again’! Think about in a car being stuck in the snow, sinking mud, or the sand at the beach. If you’ve got the right tires, a little desire will pull you out of the quagmire to let you go on with the day. Knowing how to stay away from negativity, or if you have no choice, it’s good to have the ‘right stuff’ in your abilities to deescalate the dilemma.
Most people are struggling on ‘brain support’ which is really ‘life support’. Lose your mind, but don’t lose your mind! Too much nowhere talk in the mind needs to be let go of, and be ‘out of the mind’. Reset yourself to better deal with the negative, and that may make more sense to minimize exposure even to the extent of staying far away from it at least until able to nullify its affect on you. The fool stands and fights, the Sage walk away.
A few years back in the beach community of Marina del Rey, California, I met a man who seemed very wise spiritually. In our many conversations, one thing he said I always carry in my mind. He said there are two key worlds of the spiritual to always remember, and use them creatively to position yourself with all situations, especially negative ones. Use ‘Skillful means’! Certainly there will be infinite positive situations that will best be ‘gotten into’, and with high intentions where choosing the best way to address them will set you deeper into becoming more of the spirit of love and heart.
It’s alway a good idea for example to use those ‘skillful means’ knowing that people treat people the way they treat themselves If I had to summarize the entirety of most people’s lives, it would be endless resistance to what is. If I had to summarize the entirety of an enlightened person’s life, it would be complete acceptance of what is. Minds are relaxed and composed. Change is inevitable. Embrace and welcome it
Truths are heavily guarded by alternatives that are packaged by the gullible looking for easy answers that mollify their lazy brains. In ancient China, the Taoists taught that a constant inner smile, a smile to oneself, insured health, happiness and longevity. Why? Smiling to yourself is like basking in love; you become your own best friend. Living with an inner smile is to live in harmony with yourself. Always see and use that ‘inner smile’ to elevate yourself from challenging situations. Love avoids excuses!
Arhata~
