How's your inner peace? Did you hear about the bear and the kettle of boiling water? Years ago a group of hunters had to leave their camp unexpectedly. A bear wandered in and noticed a pot of boiling water on the fire with its dancing cover.
Curious, the bear grabbed the hot pot and got burned of course. Instead of dropping it, he hugged it tighter and burned more. The Bear’s grip and strength are his defense, and the madder he got the harder he gripped, and the more heated he became. His inability to let go was his undoing.
Emmet Fox shares this story in his book ”Find and Use Your Inner Power," and adds that we often do the same with our own difficulties. Instead of letting go, we hug them and hug them and make them hurt more.
How’s That Working Out For You?
“We can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace with ourselves.” – Dalai Lama
Do you like yourself? Makes one think, doesn’t it? Sometimes the answer isn’t clear, or one we like…might even make us uncomfortable. Yet, self-love is essential to a happy and peaceful life.
I haven’t always liked my answer. Through decades of conditioning, we’ve formed opinions and passed judgment on ourselves and others. Repetition of these thoughts become habits of thinking (habits are thoughts) that form limiting emotions such as fear, regret, guilt, anger, hate…ouch!
The Power of Thought and Inner Peace Focus
Take a minute to think of something you love…family, friends, a pet perhaps. Likewise a garden, a landscape, or a songbird singing… something that puts a smile on your face. Continue to focus on that image and the reasons it makes you happy. Smiling bigger? (Smiling is a healthy habit, by the way.)
You could repeat this exercise with something you don't like, but please don't. We both know about the triggers that set us off. I'd sooner you realize the power that loving images in your thoughts provide. That is where we practice putting our focus.
Who’s In Charge Here?
Watch your thoughts, they become words.
Watch your words, they become actions.
Watch your actions, they become habits.
Watch your habits, they become character
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.
-Unknown
We have a choice. Above all, a powerful step to inner peace is to first become aware of the thoughts we hang out with. In "Awakened Imagination” Neville Goddard writes – “Through uncritical self-observation of your inner talking you find where you are in the inner world, and where you are in the inner world is what you are in the outer world.”
Above all don’t self-criticize. This is about learning to love yourself again. (You did as a kid!) Say no to lack, limitation, and negative self-talk. Likewise, think positive thoughts with every chance you get and create a habit to use a lifetime. It is your choice after all!
Consider the habit that Dr. Fox recommends – “Whenever you catch yourself thinking about your grievances, say to yourself sternly: “Bear hugs kettle,” and think about God instead. You will be surprised how quickly some long-standing wounds will disappear under this treatment.”
Or, as I like to say - Enjoy long life...whisper yes to manifest!
Thanks Tom, for sharing this. The analogy about the bear hugging the pot more and more is a strong one. It gave me something to think about… where am I holding on to something that I’m better off letting go?? I’m going to see what comes to me. Well done!!
Thanks for visiting, Chris! It’s a lesson that repeats often, if we let it. Awareness is our first step to lessen the frequency, something I continue to learn about. ;o)