When a bulldozer encounters an obstacle, it powers onward, breaking through anything in its path. Too often, we bulldoze our way through life in a similar fashion. We have a goal or task we want to complete and don’t care about who or what stands in our way.
Like most things, bulldozing is not all good or all bad. Sometimes, we are meant to keep pushing, striving, and persevering when faced with a difficult challenge. This can be a powerful and transformative experience, but there are also times when it can cause more damage than good and lead us in the wrong direction. The question is: how do we know when to power through obstacles and when to change course?
Here are 3 tips to know when to persevere and when to let go:
1. Have the humility that you don’t always know what will make you happy.
How many times have you heard about a person getting exactly what they wanted, but it doesn’t end up fulfilling them? A dream job can turn out to be a nightmare, a new house can become a money pit, and a sought-after relationship can end up being a painful mismatch.
We often bulldoze through life because we think we know what is best for us and what will make us happy. In reality, we have no idea what will ultimately bring us fulfillment. Have the humility to know that just because you desire something doesn’t mean it will make you happy.
This is where certainty in the Creator comes in. Understand that the Creator knows what your soul needs to be fulfilled, even if it doesn’t make sense to you right now.
2. Be open to surprises and detours. They might lead you down a better path!
There is often a reason that obstacles appear in our path. Sometimes they are challenges we are meant to overcome, and other times they are messages that are guiding us to something different. When things don’t go our way, we can resist, fight, and get upset about it or accept that a force greater than us has a different purpose for us.
When the Creator shows you a stop sign, pause and be open to the possibility of being put on a different track. Consider that maybe you are better off not getting what you want! Maybe it’s time to try something new, ask for help, or just let go.
Be open to surprise. Accepting life’s roadblocks is what gives us the ability to live life in peace.
3. Make it your goal to reveal Light in the world.
Most of us live our lives trying to use spiritual wisdom as a means to achieve our goals. But what if we instead used our spiritual path as a way to discover our true purpose in this world? When we do this, we make revealing our soul’s Light in the world our top priority, rather than ticking off a list of accomplishments.
In order to find your soul’s ultimate purpose, be open to all the feedback you get from the Universe. You may have an inkling about what your soul’s purpose is, but if you are open to it, the universe may show you something else. It may not look like what you envision now, but as long as you are dedicating your efforts to revealing your Light, the Creator will put you on the right path.
When you aren’t getting what you want, take the time to reassess your goals and your approach. Ask yourself, “are my desires aligned with my ultimate purpose?”
It is important to have goals and to strive for them, but sometimes we need to take our foot off the accelerator and listen to the messages of the Universe. By resisting and trying to bulldoze ahead against our best interest, it can cause us pain or stress, and we run the risk of trampling over others unintentionally. When we keep pushing and don’t stop at any cost, we tend to lack patience, mercy, acceptance, and forgiveness – all the key ingredients to successful relationships and our happiness. Have certainty in the Creator, be open to a new direction, and align your actions with the true purpose of your soul.
