I woke up this morning after a restless night with a sore throat and runny nose. I had to spend an hour at the doctor surgery getting my 3 monthly blood tests, and checking in with the doctor. Then I spent an hour and a half, with no success, chasing a undelivered Express Post package with a T-shirt I bought on line in it (certainly hasn’t been worth the $25 discount voucher I used – haha). After that I spent another hour responding to a letter on behalf on my 91 year old Aunty whose affairs I manage, trying to explain we HAVE paid her $140 newspaper bill and the insolvency company doesn’t have to ‘refer the notice to the solicitor without further contact with me’. No success there yet either – luckily I have records of payments – now we just have to get them to match theirs.

Then I spent several hours and multiple phone calls chasing the insurance company who still haven’t got their act together to repair the damage that happened to our house four months ago, and with winter around the corner we really would like the hole mended in our external wall and our chimney fixed so we have some heating.

The new puppy peed on the floor, twice, while we were having lunch.

So here I now sit, at my laptop pondering a quote that I often share with other people when they are having frustrating days like I am having today…

‘The business of life is life itself!’

I also ponder who said that and Eckhart Tolle comes to mind. So I went searching on Google to see if he did or didn’t give us that piece of wisdom and came across this site.

The 30 Most Enlightening Eckhart Tolle Quotes That Will Shift You Perspective On Life
https://ideapod.com/30-enlightening-eckhart-tolle-quotes-will-shift-perspective-life/

First of all I had a bit of a chuckle ‘cause there is a spelling error in the title - my perspective is that whoever puts up this site should get someone to spell check for them – haha. I guess this is not an official ‘Mr. Tolle’ site, but nonetheless it has some pearls of wisdom from the great man on perspective, which is as you know, my favourite topic.

On days like these, it is really helpful to get some perspective on the frustration of the day and put it in its rightful place in the bigger scheme of life.

So here goes with my favourite half dozen quotes that are relevant to me particularly today, and my thoughts about each quote. (If you want to read all 30 the link is above).

Quote 1:“Any action is often better than no action, especially if you have been stuck in an unhappy situation for a long time. If it is a mistake, at least you learn something, in which case it’s no longer a mistake. If you remain stuck, you learn nothing.”

Ok so the hours that feel wasted perhaps haven’t been wasted at all. What will I learn from this day?

Quote 2: “Life will give you whatever experience is most helpful for the evolution of your consciousness. How do you know this is the experience you need? Because this is the experience you are having at the moment.”

Great! Said with a hint of sarcasm – so how is my consciousness going to evolve today? Well I did stop and write this blog which has made me think and given me a chance to sit down for a bit. Good time for a cup of chai tea.

Quote 3:“Always say “yes” to the present moment. What could be more futile, more insane, than to create inner resistance to what already is? What could be more insane than to oppose life itself, which is now and always now? Surrender to what is. Say “yes” to life — and see how life suddenly starts working for you rather than against you.”

Ok so deep breath taken and I said ‘yes’ to the moment and believe it or not the insurance company just called and I have a ‘date’ with the bloke whose going to fix our chimney at 8am tomorrow morning. Finally. Great! No sarcasm now.

Quote 4:“Some changes look negative on the surface but you will soon realize that space is being created in your life for something new to emerge.”

I KNOW this, but don’t always remember it at first when a hard situation comes up. I am now reminded that during my time off touring, I intend to write another book or two. So Merelyn, get down into the ‘Happiness Room’ and get writing. A timely reminder Mr. Tolle – thanks.

Quote 5: “Is there a difference between happiness and inner peace? Yes. Happiness depends on conditions being perceived as positive; inner peace does not.”

I live this one, daily, and I understand that:

Quote 6: “The primary cause of unhappiness is never the situation but your thoughts about it.”And “You find peace not by rearranging the circumstances of your life, but by realizing who you are at the deepest level.” And “Pleasure is always derived from something outside you, whereas joy arises from within…If you get the inside right, the outside will fall into place”

And to do this it is important to remember: (OK I didn’t stop at 6 quotes, but Eckhart has so many good ones!)

“Whatever you fight, you strengthen, and what you resist, persists.”

“Life isn’t as serious as the mind makes it out to be.” “Sometimes letting things go is an act of far greater power than defending or hanging on.”

So true, hanging on to negativity doesn’t help anyone, least of all ourselves. It just confuses and clouds the issues at hand, and can stop us from moving forward and gaining the richness of life experience from any given situation.

Now as I come to the conclusion of this week’s blog, I am encouraged that today’s frustrating events are not major, I am alive and enjoying life, I have plenty to eat and a warm house (well warmer when the insurance company fixes the hole in the wall), I know I am loved, I seek new perspectives on every aspect of my life that I feel discontent with as well as the ones I enjoy, I have time now to rest, re-create, ponder life and lie under my tree. I have time to be busy and experience things in all their fullness. I have time for peace.

So I must finish with this last ET quote – it’s a beauty and I’m off to meditate, to find some stillness, and then see what creative juices get flowing.

“All true artists, whether they know it or not, create from a place of no-mind, from inner stillness.”

May your frustrations today encourage you to seek a new perspective, and find that inner peace and stillness you deeply desire. Go get creative with life.

Be happy.
Merelyn Carter

Merelyn’s writing is supported in part by the sale of her books. Autobiography - ‘The Deepest Part of Me’.  ‘Inspire’ – inspirational reflections for your life’s journey.  ‘Stories behind the Songs’ and her first children’s picture book ‘To The Moon and Back - Grandma’s Rocket Ship Adventure’. To find out more about her work and to support her through the purchase of her writings and music, please go to www.carterandcarter.com.au