Resistance is Futile. Fortunately, There is Another Way

Hey there!

This is part 2 of Resistance is Futile - a slightly controversial blog post that explains how what we resist persists. AKA the more you think about something, whether good or bad, the more likely you will experience it again.

Read that again.

This is a simple yet incredibly difficult concept for humans to grasp, so don't be surprised if your knee-jerk response is 'bullshit'. Most people think that way...and subsequently they manifest a lifetime of talking about, dwelling upon, and resisting things they don't like.

Don't believe me? Just watch the humans around you, and you will likely see what I mean.

The good news is that you can reverse the resistance insanity spiral by simply choosing to think and feel differently, over and over again, in the present moment, every time you are confronted with something or someone you don't like.

And yes...you can choose differently, as clinical neuropsychologist and holocaust survivor Viktor Frankl teaches us:

SO

when things shows up that you want to resist/resent/regret such as:

• that client

• or that coworker

• or that relative

• or that negative, intrusive thought

• that celebrity

• that politician

• that news headline

• that social media video

• or whatever negative event of the day that everyone seems to want to fixate on...

...instead of contracting, resisting, and engaging in the same old same old thoughts, emotions, and behaviors do something different.

PAUSE...

Take three breaths...

let go of negative, self-protective, judgmental, and defensive thoughts...

knowing they no longer serve your highest good...

and practice acceptance. It is what it is. Let it go.

You are neutral, zen, in control of your emotions and thoughts no matter what is front of you...

the victim of no one and no thing.

In a word, you are unfuckwithable.

Do this over and over and over and over until it becomes a new way of being. You might have to do it every 5 minutes to start, especially if the bulk of your thoughts every day are negative. This will likely take self-discipline to redirect your thoughts because all your neural circuitry is geared to go negative.

But the good news is that beliefs are just thoughts you think over and over again. And the thoughts you think can be changed.

At first, this will likely be hard because you have habitually conditioned yourself to practice resistance. Some of you will find that you are actually low key addicted to talking about and hating on fill-in-the-blank thing that you detest, and it will take everything you have to interrupt the pattern.

But stick with it, and one of a couple of things will happen:

• As with all things, once you stop 'feeding' the unwanted thing your energy in the form of resistance, it will wither and die, a.k.a. you will not notice it as much.

• You will start to feel more peaceful, even when that thing shows up.

• You will allow space for more happiness.

• Your relationships will likely improve.

• You may free up energy to improve yourself or work on goals.

Desire peace more than wanting to feel habitual angry, resistant thoughts, and you will find the whole world changes. I know it sounds corny...but it's true.

BTW - Practicing acceptance isn't approval. It is caring for yourself in the moment and removing your attention - and therefore your energy - from the unwanted thing. #blocked

At a base level, most adults know that it is a waste of precious energy to 'go to war' with what is. When you are resisting something, you are at war with it, which ties up energy that you could be using to focus on your goals or things that bring you joy and fulfillment.

Stop wasting your energy on resistance. It is futile. Instead, obsess about things that bring you peace, joy, fulfillment, and connection with others. Be the smart bad ass I know you are and use your energy strategically to create a life you love.

Action Step

Choose one (or all) of the following and practice daily:

1. When something that you don't like shows up in your awareness, just observe yourself. How do you react? How do you feel? What do you say? Don't judge yourself - just observe.

2. Practice pausing, breathing, acceptance, and letting go.

3. Apply these principles consistently and see how your life changes.

It's time to take back what is ours.

Break the cycle.

Embody peace.

Choose differently.

We know you can.

From our slightly scandalous hearts to yours,

Sarah J. Wooten, DVM, CVJ and the Vets Against Insanity CON Crew 😆