In this post I will introduce “The Law of Cause and Effect”. However,
prior to doing so I’d like to clarify how those impartial forces, factors and
issues (or stuff, if you like, that I discussed in my last post) directly affect
our health.
If you remember I said this stuff exists in our lives whether we
like it or not. It doesn’t ask our permission to be here. It just is! I also
stated that this stuff could control us and our response to life so much so
that we feel victimized by life. Or, we can become empowered as we exert dominion
over this same stuff by responding to it in a thoughtful and organized manner.
Now don't get me wrong, I’m not advocating that we go around looking
for tough times & problem areas in order to feel empowered. There’s enough
stress to go around for everyone and to purposely seek more would be foolish!
What I’m saying is that when tough times occur we should trust in our innate ability
to take charge and deal with them in a forthright manner.
While on the subject of stress let me share some important
information. Stress is not necessarily a bad thing. Cases of acute stress lead
to the “fight or flight” response, which, in most cases, saves our life.
However this type of stress normally occurs over a short period of time and
subsides once the perceived danger disappears. When stress occurs adrenaline is
secreted into our body by the adrenal glands. Adrenaline increases our heart
rate, constricts our blood vessels and dilates our air passages. This provides
the extra energy needed to activate the “fight or flight” response and deal
with the immediate danger.
Let me provide you with an example. I’m a former Marine Officer and
Naval Aviator. I flew from the decks of 4 different aircraft carriers. My most
stressful times occurred during our approach and landing back aboard the ship.
Night landings were tough and night landings during bad weather were extremely
stressful. However after the landing (or trap) my stress level was greatly
reduced and my body had time to recover.
Nowadays, in modern society, we are faced with continual stress and
the continuous release of adrenaline into our bodies. This isn’t a good thing. Many organizations have concluded that stress
is the number 1 cause of sickness and disease. It has been reported that up to
90% of doctor visits are directly related to the effects of stress.
Much of this stress is unnecessary and caused by our response to the
stuff discussed earlier. Examples of this stuff are: broken relationships,
financial hardships, sickness, disease, death, natural disasters, uncaring
people, etc. We can avoid much of this stress by choosing our response to the circumstances
that life presents.
The Law of Cause and Effect simply says: “We Choose How We Experience Life.” We can either allow the
circumstances in life to control us (be at the effect of life) where we
experience life by continually looking over our shoulders with a sense of
impending doom. Or, we can respond to these same circumstances in a manner that
keeps us calm, confident, creative and connected to our Inner Voice which
continually directs us towards our goals and ultimate life’s purpose (be at cause
of life). The choice is ours!
In closing let me share with you a quotation from Ralph Waldo Emerson:
“Shallow men believe in luck,
believe in circumstances.
Strong men believe in cause and effect.”
Stay
strong my friends!
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