This week we were asked to be the observer of fear, hurt feelings, anger, guilt and unworthiness, and to consider them as tools for transformation. How can I reframe these feelings which are universally experienced by all people? I am reminded of the quote by Mark Twain:

“Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear, not absence of fear.” Mark Twain

So often these feelings stem from experiences in our past. We may hold anger and hurt feelings about how we have been treated. Our fears are often based on past traumatic experiences that we have developed a protective mental wall in avoidance of.

We may feel guilty or unworthy because of what we have done or experienced in our past. Og reminds us that we cannot re-live yesterday. We only have today. I cannot undo the circumstances of my past that cause me to experience these negative emotions.

I can, however, recognize them. I can observe them in myself in the present. Then I can make a choice of how I will think, act and speak in the face of my emotions. I can face fear and act with courage.

I can experience hurt and anger, yet speak with love and forgiveness. I can grapple with guilt and unworthiness and choose the gift of grace, knowing that I am created as a unique masterpiece, worthy of all the goodness that life has to offer. The choice ismine!