Resistance

“Most of us have two lives.  The life we live, and the unlived life within us.  Between the two stand resistance.”  Steven Pressfield

My sister recommended that I read a book called The War of Art. That's where the quote for this week comes from. The author, Steven Pressfield, is full of insight and experience with examining and identifying obstacles in life that keep us from being all we were meant to be. Here’s how one of Pressfield’s early chapter's begins:

“Have you ever brought home a treadmill and let it gather dust in the attic, Ever quit a diet, a course of yoga, a meditation practice?  …Have you ever wanted to be a mother, a doctor, an advocate for the weak and helpless; to run for office, crusade for the planet, campaign for world peace, or to preserve the environment?  Late at night have you experienced a vision of the person you might become, the work you could accomplish, the realized being you were meant to be?  Are you a writer who doesn’t write, a painter who doesn’t paint, an entrepreneur who never starts a venture?  Then you know what Resistance is.”

Can you relate to this? I sure can. I have found myself up against this nasty fellow called Resistance many times, whether it’s trying to get my house organized, or writing that book I’ve been talking about for years.  But to be honest, I never really personified it before.  Once I did, I visualized what a creepy, crawly, calculating creature this vaporous, blob is.  As I was reading through the book I began to imagine a force slithering through my life, targeting my weak flesh and poor habits in order to find out where there was an opening for him to enter in; thus able to sabotage and create havoc on my journey to realizing my dream. (Maybe I've been watching to many Sci-Fi movies?). Here's how Pressfield describes resistance.

“Resistance is the most toxic force on the planet.  It is the root of more unhappiness than poverty, disease, and erectile dysfunction.  To yield to Resistance deforms our spirit.  It stunts us and makes us less than we are and were born to be.  If you believe in God (and I do) you must declare Resistance evil, for it prevents us from achieving the life God intended when He endowed each of us with our own unique genius.”

I must say, this author has planted a new awareness in me of the importance of arming ourselves for this ongoing battle against Resistance. We need to learn the ways of a warrior, and shield ourselves from that dark shadow that lures behind corners, ready to plunge its poisonous tentacles into our desires, and our dreams. Steven Pressfield touches a raw nerve of mine when he writes:

“Look in your own heart.  Unless I’m crazy, right now a still small voice is piping up, telling you as it has ten thousand times, the calling that is yours and yours alone.  You know it.  No one has to tell you.  And unless I’m crazy, you’re no closer to taking action on it than you were yesterday or will tomorrow.  You think Resistance isn’t real?  Resistance will bury you.”

Whoa.... that gives me the chills, does it you? I, for one, am going to read more about defeating this enemy whose name is Resistance…..And of course, I promise to share my insights with you, and I hope you'll do the same.

Post your thoughts on the blog, or email me, Karen, at smallsteps4bigresults@yahoo.com or on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/karen.spencer.5283166?ref=tn_tnmn