Conflict
By Michelene K. Bell

This month I would like to write about conflict. So often we find ourselves at odds with other people when in reality we are battling our own inner demons. Eventually they surface and soon there is confrontation happening with family, friends, and strangers. Oftentimes we don’t stop and recognize that it isn’t about “them” but rather about “us” and our perceptions. Perhaps we feel threatened over the situations that arise. Maybe we are feeling attacked and unsupported on our life’s journey, when in reality we are being afforded the opportunity for growth. It also could mean that we are not in alignment with our inner self, that soul aspect of life.

When we find ourselves out of balance, our paths become rocky and filled with obstacles and we set-up various distractions in our outer world called conflicts. If we do not recognize this misalignment, we do not go within to see where the true issues lie. We just continue making choices based on our misinformed perceptions.

People are put upon our paths as teachers or mirrors. They mirror what we must face within ourselves and at times this can be very disconcerting. It is at this point we may be feeling threatened from an exterior source and the “flight or fight” scenario is engaged. We either lash out (a fear response) or avoid the situation all together.

On the other hand, when the teacher appears, it signifies that we are ready to move forward in growth and understanding. We don’t feel threatened and we are open to the lessons being presented. It can be a tremendous period of growth for we are coming not from fear but rather from consciousness.

When conflict arises it is a time to look inwardly and closely at what we are attracting into our lives and why. Are we in denial and allowing our emotions to run rampant? Perhaps we are coming from a defensive fear based emotion? Or maybe we are feeling intimidated and find it difficult to move beyond the anger and fear that are being energized.

Whatever the case may happen to be, conflict is an inner job or journey. It is about us recognizing that there is still work to be done on our inner destiny. Conflict is showing us our misalignment of our mental and emotional bodies with our soul or spiritual levels.

Our choice can be to remain in denial or to look beyond outer appearances and recognize our conflict comes from within.

Life is indeed about choice and the path we walk can be filled with stones (lessons = growth) or boulders (obstacles = fear). It is only you who can decide the place to come from, growth or fear. Perhaps asking ourselves, “what trigger points” are being activated would help on our self-discovery?

What about you? Are you in conflict?

May your February be filled with love and memories…Happy Valentine’s Day! 

Take care my friends and many blessings,

Michelene