Walking through life feeling overwhelmed is a courage barrier.

 You can’t do your best work, be connected to yourself and others, or live your courageous life when there’s a constant, nagging undercurrent of “More to do! Not enough time!” or a sense that peace is only available…after you get past your to-do list. Kate Courageous

Life’s been kicking my ass a bit over the past few weeks. Nothing major and nothing irreversible, but some things I thought were done came undone and I suffered through a couple of days of self-pity before recognizing that I was a bit out of touch with reality.

You see, things have been going so well for so long that I’d forgotten how little control I actually have over the Uni-verse. Without even noticing, I had begun to accept good things happening as my birthright and to expect deferential treatment from a Uni-verse that may or may not even know I exist. I forgot that 99.9% of what happens is completely out of my control.

Without me, the sun comes up in the morning and the stars twinkle at night. Before I’ve even gotten out of bed in the morning, the earth has spun 1/3 of the way round its axis and six billion people have done the best they know to do to increase their happiness and mitigate their suffering.

And since I’m not in charge, I get to relax and enjoy the ride. Rather than cower in recognition of my own weakness and even helplessness in the face of forces far greater than my own, I am set free.

Peace!