What you Resist Persists

“What you resist persists.” Carl Jung

lonely woman standing on rocky coast
Photo by Tatiana Syrikova on Pexels.com

This is a such a simple, yet powerful message that I keep coming back to again and again. Today I decided to set aside time to understand the WordPress block editor instead of resisting it and clinging to the old version.

Have you noticed when others have been caught in this struggle with what is happening? Have you noticed it in yourself?

When we want “what is” to be different, we are resisting. The more we resist, deny, criticize, complain and fight the truth … the more internal struggle we will have.

A part of us is conditioned to resist what’s happening to us, especially when things don’t go the way we had wanted. We don’t accept the feelings of annoyance, disappointment, hurt, sadness or distress that come up, and we want them to go away.

We want things to be the same as they were before. A part of us still thinks that by resisting, the uncomfortable feelings will go away but they won’t. They will become stronger, and can take over our minds, and cause a lot of suffering.

So, this is what I have to say to you:

Recognize if there is a situation in your life that you are resisting or denying is happening.

Ask yourself. “Am I ready to face this now?” If it isn’t the right time, that’s okay. Keep coming back to it until you are ready.

If it is something that is very upsetting, center yourself with slow deep breaths. Perhaps bring a hand onto your belly and another above your heart center.

Feel that sense of touch, and perhaps the connection to your inner self. The part of you that is hurting right now.

Recognizing when we are resisting is a powerful practice. At the beginning we may wonder what the big deal is …. after all resisting feels normal … until we are able to see that resisting is a conditioned response that has become as habit.  A habit that brings us suffering.

  • Let go of how you expected things to be.
  • Take control of what you CAN do to keep moving forward.
  • Make space for it.
  • Don’t hold on to anger or blame others. This will only cause you more hurt.
  • Embrace the highs and lows of life as they come along, and go with the ever changing flow of life.

And now you have a choice.

36 responses to “What you Resist Persists”

  1. Wow! You really embraced the block editor.
    I have ‘accepted’ it. I can’t say I’ve embraced it but seeing how you’ve created all those different formats… wow! Now I’m inspired to embrace it all!

    Like life. Sometimes we need a little help from our friends to step outside our comfort zones!

    Thanks Val!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. When we lighten up around the little things, we can have fun. When it goes deeper we can transform ourselves. Guidance is always welcome 🙏
      So glad this inspired you Louise 💛

      Like

  2. Thanks so much for today’s post, Val. I’ve been struggling with a few unwanted happenings in my life and realize I need to accept them and let the universe do it’s thing. So appreciate what you do, Val.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Thank you Pat for sharing. 💕This is a fundamental wisdom that helps us with the superficial stuff, yet is so powerful for deeper understanding and reasoning with reality and what the universe brings us. Take care 🙏

      Like

  3. And then throw the block editor in the bin 😂 🤣

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Hey Val, my comment came through…I must have stopped resisting 😂 🤣

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Laughing … hope your constipation is fixed too 😆

        Liked by 1 person

        1. lol…me too, it will be good to flow again! 😂 🤣

          Liked by 1 person

  4. Lol. Clearly you gave up your resistance, Val! When I finally did… I found out that it wasn’t as bad as I dreaded. All that anxiety for nothing. 😀

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Smiling and nodding … I just needed to set aside time for me to play with it.

      Liked by 1 person

  5. thank you for this, Val.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. So glad it resonated Ateafa 💕

      Like

  6. Learning curves, as well as sudden changes, are definitely places I meet initially with resistance. (‘Slow to adapt!’) Eckhard Tolle has helped me see how useless resistance is and I hope I’m getting better at moving out of it more quickly than I used to. My body certainly feels better when I do!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you for sharing, Eliza. Tuning in the the body and reminding ourselves of Tolle’s words certainly help with our ongoing learning curves 💕

      Liked by 1 person

  7. I really like the block editor although so many bloggers seem to be struggling with it. As for resistance…yep…notice it in overt and subtle ways. It seems over the years it becomes easier to see the subtle ways it is appearing. I like your idea about asking if we’re ready to face it and then be OK if it’s not yet time.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Thank you Kathy. Such a treat to pause and then venture onward 💛

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Often my resistance has been unconscious, so my mind would say ‘yes’ of course I want that,’ but my inner belief system would say, ‘no, you don’t deserve that,’ once we understand this conflict within and heal it, we can flow into the abundance of life!! It’s def worth the work. Great post Val 👏💚

    Liked by 1 person

  9. It’s interesting because I’ve been embracing and allowing what is lately. Now for the block editor format, I’ve used it from the onset but it’s not as easy as I would like it be. Am I still in resistance? 😝

    Liked by 1 person

  10. Excellent post, Val! I found a way around the block editor to use the classic one. And it is SO true what you resist does yes persist. The KEY is to flow as you figure out how to stop resisting, change what we can, and accept that which we do not have the power to change. Loved this post. Thank you!! xo

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Well said. Thank you Amy 💛🙏💛

      Liked by 1 person

  11. A sound advocacy for acceptance

    Liked by 1 person

  12. Thank you, Val. I find this very helpful, especially in regards to the way I view this pandemic. Once I accept the situation, I find it so much easier to cope with!

    Liked by 1 person

  13. Learning to accept things as they are . . . even if things are not as we wish them to be . . . saves us boatloads of inner turmoil!

    It is what it is
    Whatever will be, will be
    Que sera, sera

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Smiling… Thank you Doris 💛🎶

      Liked by 1 person

  14. Ah, Val, you speak of something that many of us struggle with right now…resistance. Your gentle address is timely and much appreciated.

    Liked by 1 person

  15. A lovely reminder and delicious practice. Thank you, Val.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you Vicki 💕

      Like

  16. Very relevant post and I agree with you. You have explained it so effectively. Trying to escape, deny or resist never works. Everything keeps coming back until we learn what it needs to teach us. Taking personal responsibility empowers us to make choices and change our situations.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you for sharing your wisdom PD. Your voice always adds to the conversation 💕

      Liked by 1 person

  17. Wonderful post, yet again, Val. “Am I ready to face this now?” If it isn’t the right time, that’s okay. Keep coming back to it until you are ready… such wise, and perfect words as we enter the last month of this rather eventful year!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you Randall 🙏 It’s good to hear from you. I hope you are well and doing well 💛

      Like

  18. […] What you Resist Persists — Find Your Middle Ground […]

    Liked by 1 person

Leave a reply to Mark Lanesbury Cancel reply

About Me

My name is Val Boyko, a dual citizen living near Philadelphia, originally from Scotland.

This blog came to life one morning in 2013.  I woke up with these words in my mind:  “Life is a series of highs and lows. Be grateful for the highs. Be graceful in the lows. And find contentment in your Middle Ground.”

Find Your Middle Ground blog started to explore, reflect, ask deep questions, share insights about awakening, and connect with wonderful people like yourself. Thank you for being here and being such an inspiration.