resistance

In Carl Jung’s wise words “What we resist persists.” Noticing where we have resistance is a powerful practice.

I keep thinking about how I want things to be a certain way, yet it’s out of my control. And rather than letting it go and letting it be, I find my thoughts still hanging on to how things were and how I don’t want this to be happening right now.

I ask myself … Why is this happening? … How can I escape the unfairness of it?… How can I make things right?

This kind of thinking only takes me away from being present and makes me feel off balance and fearful. There’s a tightness around my heart.

And then I read this quote:

“If you are resisting something, you are feeding it. Any energy you fight, you are feeding. If you are pushing something away, you are inviting it to stay.” ~ Michael Singer.

Whenever we push something away, we bring energy to it and it resists. The more we push, the more energy is created, and so it resists even more in order to stay.

When we push something away, we are inviting it to stay.

Well I certainly don’t want that!

fish slap wake up call

I love messages that hit me like a cold wet fish being slapped across the face.

Others might think of it as a kind of wake up call.

Hello river, here I come again.

Consider what you have been resisting that is still firmly there…. Feel the fish slap, let it go and join me in the flow once more.

65 responses to “* Resistance Wake Up Call”

  1. You, Singer…deep wisdom

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    1. Thank you deeply, wise David.

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    1. Thanks so much Van 🐥

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  2. Great post Val and it is exactly like a wet fish in the face, and I can say from experience, it will not go away until we address the issue ha! I say bring it on! 🙂

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    1. When it gets our attention, it gets our attention! Thanks Karen 💛

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  3. “River, teach me how to float….” (Peter Gabriel) Jung was wise indeed~

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    1. Peter Gabriel is wise as well! Thank you Cindy for this share 💛

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  4. I like to face things and I can see that by fighting them off you are wasting energy. Is this like letting go? To preserve energy for something worth expressing it. Pretty deep and powerful, Val. ~Zen-like. ♡

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    1. Thank you Robin. 💛 Sometimes we resist things without knowing (like feeling unwell), other times we notice when we are fighting against something (like a change at work). Either way, when we notice, its an opportunity to let go and accept something that is out of our control. Sometimes the realization isn’t easy!

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  5. Pushing the river won’t alter its flow. Here’s to allowing things to be “as they are” while we “go with the flow” and “embrace the now.”

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    1. Thanks Nancy! I know I wasn’t aware I was pushing the river, until I read this quote. Gentle reminders are often needed to ensure we haven’t run aground along the way 💛

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      1. Yes! Even when we “get it” . . . we need gentle reminders (and/or slaps in the face) from time to time to keep us awake and aware.

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  6. Much truth here. The Law of Attraction. 🙂

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    1. Thank you dg! Sometimes it can be hard to tune into our own vibrations. 🙃

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      1. It can be very difficult sometimes. It’s something we have to keep practicing. 🙂

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  7. I wish I knew how but this is definitely right on!

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    1. Thank you Julie. A part of us thinks its ok to resist something unpleasant… but our resistance only adds to the suffering we already feel. That’s what I realized with this quote. Acknowledging this is the beginning towards letting it go.

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  8. Great one, Val. Right on time. Thank you.

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    1. Thanks Carrie 💕 Theoccasional fish slap can be most welcome!

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      1. Indeed it can, dear Val! I appreciated this one, for sure! 💕

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  9. Thought provoking concept to start the day Val. Thanks for that.

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    1. Thank you Dan for pausing here. May you day flow without resistance. Watch out for flying fish.

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  10. Great thoughts here, Val. That fish photo is hilarious! 🙂

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    1. Thanks Jill. The photo is great isn’t it. So much being said!! 💛

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  11. Interesting Val, I never thought of it that way, thanks for the new insight. 🙂
    Yep, it’s always best to go with the flow…

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    1. Thank you Julie! Glad it opened an other perspective up 💛

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  12. Job’s a good ‘un.

    H ❤

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    1. And the moral from Monty:

      When a fish slaps your cheek, turn the other cheek . . . to grab a bigger fish!

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      1. … Or there’s always more where that comes from!

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    2. LOL! You crack me up Hariod! As does Monty Python. 💛
      Thinks … what can I write about involving a dead parrot…

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      1. That Norwegian Blue Parrot? It’s not dead, it’s resting Val, resting I tell you.

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        1. Im cracking up now H 😆
          … I could use this in innumerable inappropriate ways!!

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  13. Nice lesson for me, Val. Thanks. I think the practice of letting go and and letting be and just flow and trust that everything will turn out okay is a wise
    move.

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    1. So gla you found meaning in it Virgilio. 💛

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  14. Walking My Path: Mindful Wanderings in Nature Avatar
    Walking My Path: Mindful Wanderings in Nature

    It is what it is. I find when I fight reality, I never win. It’s ok. Right now. Thanks Val, although I am resisting the fish metaphor, haha!
    Peace
    Mary

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    1. (Smiling) thanks Mary! Embrace it all for what it is 🐥

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  15. Feel the fish slap!!! hahahahahaha – that was greatness! I complete agree, and even with my mantras – I won’t say “I breath in courage and breath out fear” because I don’t want to even speak fears, so “I breath in courage and breath out release” LOL, it’s not always easy to come up with a counter that won’t have me feeding the wrong end!

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    1. Thank you Kate for sharing and being here! 💛

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  16. Another pearl of wisdom! Indeed, nothing fishy about your advice! 😉

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    1. Groaning funny! Thanks Paul 😆

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  17. Okay, Val, I want to let go and let it be so I’ll feel the fish slap . . . but I don’t think I’ll like it. 🙂 🙂 🙂 Great post!!

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    1. Thanks for the chuckle Carol! I don’t recommend it … Unless it really is a wake up call 😳

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  18. Good one, Val. Cold, wet fish… love it! 😉

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    1. Thanks Eliza. Glad it brought a smile and a wink!

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  19. A great reminder of being mindful 🙂 of our thoughts 🙂 sometimes we need those wet fishes to slap us now and again LOL..

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    1. Thanks so much Sue! Gentle reminders and wet fishes work well 😃

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      1. haha.. 🙂 yes they do.. would sooner have the gentle reminders LOL

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  20. I can relate to this and it is spot on!

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    1. Thank you Elizabeth. When it hits us and we get it, it does wake us up doesn’t it! 💛

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  21. I would bake the wet fish and turn it into a positively, delightful feast. Turning something negative into something positive. Hard to do, but not impossible. Loved your post, Val.

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    1. There is goodness to be discovered! Thank you Olga for your yummy suggestion 🐥

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  22. Wise advice, loved it.

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    1. Thank you for your kind words Indira 💛

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  23. There are some disturbing thoughts. If i resist ,they pester me. if I don’t they are there torturing me. What to do?

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    1. I tell myself “Our thoughts are not the truth.
      Our thoughts create good and bad, bring about resistance and cause suffering.”
      Hugs to you Indira, Val

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      1. Thanks dear. Love and hugs.

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  24. Very wise Val, but I prefer the fish at my plate 😀

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    1. (Laughing) I am right with you on this Irene!

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  25. Recognising it has been the wake up call for me Val. Great post.

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    1. Thanks Kath. Awareness is everything!
      💛

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  26. Wonderful and timely advice. Love the fish-slap image! 😀

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    1. Thanks Annabelle! I had to take several shots and slaps with my husband to get this one….
      Just kidding!!

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