Is the AIRR you breathe pure or polluted?
As you well know, our thoughts and feelings create the environment we live in, both internally and externally. Some ways in which we pollute ourselves:
Anger is considered to be a secondary emotion. It is an instinctual reaction designed to “protect” us when we experience vulnerable feelings such as hurt, sadness, guilt, fear, and shame. When we don’t have a handle on our emotions, when our inner authority is weak, anger gets out of control. It can cause much damage in our relationships, our jobs, our bodies, our pure AIRR. The good news is that it has a higher purpose. As a spiritual principle, the proper use of anger is to get us moving in the right direction.
Irritation is a lower grade of anger. It is the upset we feel when things don’t go our way, when something rubs us the wrong way, or when we’re having a bad day. Irritation is a slow-burning reaction that erodes peace of mind as well as the nervous system. The problem is, we often allow it to linger.
Resentment – when we are not taking care of ourselves, we allow anger to turn into resentment. Resentment is blaming others instead of taking action, such as setting boundaries and making specific requests. It is a form of irritation that indicates powerlessness in managing our lives.
Regret is blaming ourselves. Powerlessness in the ability to move on.
One of the things to watch out for is becoming “addicted” to this AIRR pollution. Emotions like these are stimulating and energizing, even if they aren’t so pleasant. It’s like taking a drink or a hit of drugs. As with a rash, the more you scratch, the more it itches. It can be a never-ending cycle.
So. How can you purify your AIRR?
Acceptance – dealing with life on life’s terms means you accept what’s happening whether you like it or not. It doesn’t mean you plan to stay there, but remember, what you resist persists. Acceptance is a form of detachment that allows you to observe, stay balanced, and take appropriate action instead of driving into the ditch of emotional reaction.
Inspiration is being connected to your inner higher power and the Greater Power we call God. It allows our creativity to flow and our gratitude to grow. What do you revere? What has heart and meaning? What inspires you? If you don’t know, keep looking.
Respect comes automatically when you’re living from inner authority, expressing your strengths, and maintaining integrity. That’s self respect. Then, when we feel good about ourselves and our lives, when we are connected with a higher perspective and purpose, we automatically respect others – whether we agree with and like them or not. “I do not agree with what you have to say, but I’ll defend to the death your right to say it.” (attributed to Evelyn B Hall and/or Voltaire).
Responsibility is, simply, the ability to respond. It takes inner strength and awareness, and it is the knowing that we can/will handle whatever life sends our way – good and bad. It also stems from the desire to live rightly and the effort to make that happen.
Is the AIRR you breathe pure or polluted? And what will you do about it?