It never fails to surprise me just how much of our unhappiness, stress and suffering is caused by our persistently recurring ability to want to resist what is happening to us and/or to become attached to the way things have been, are now or should be.

I was reminded of this on my way to work this morning. It can be a challenge to get a 7 year old out of bed and ready for school on any morning however today proved to be doubly difficult. As I kept a wary eye on the clock it soon became apparent my timetable was not going to be adhered to today!

The more I focussed on and resisted the notion that I would be late for work the more things appeared to make that come true. My 7 year old became slower and slower and eventually when I did make it to the car the windscreen was frosted over and had to be hosed off.

The traffic on the roads seemed heavier than usual and it seemed like I had to wait for ages at intersections which I would normally just sail through. My irritation and stress grew and grew.

After delivering my son to school I became aware of just how bad I was feeling and how much I was attached to being on time and was resisting the fact that I would be late today. It was at that I point I realised that I was making myself miserable for something that could not be avoided. I had done my best and that was all that could be expected.

Surprise, surprise – as I let go of the resistance and attachment to the expectation by switching my focus to remembering some music I was trying to memorise not only did I feel much better but I actually arrived at work on time!!

Taking this a step further we can also become unwittingly attached to our expectations about all manner of things that we want in our lives. We resist what is right now by focussing on what we want but which has not yet materialised in our lives. We begin to feel unhappy because life right now does not reflect what we think we need and want to make us happy.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with having dreams and goals as these are necessary if we ever want to fulfill our desires. However there is a balance required in planning and setting goals. If you focus on these from the viewpoint of not having arrived yet then you will feel disappointed and unhappy. These feelings will only serve to push your desires further away.

Plan and set your goals and then let them go out into the universe. Live your life without resistance and attachment. Be observant and embrace opportunities as they arise as these opportunities are the universe responding to your desires. Take action when this seems right for you and this will take you closer to where you want to be.

What your resist will persist and what you are attached to will hold you back from a life of unimagineable mystery and beauty!