Inner Stability

The stock market was up so high on Monday (900+ points) that it was looking optimistic.  This did not last long.  We are in a volatile environment.  Up and down.  Who knows for how long the market will be up or for how long it will be down?   This instability means that we are well advised to NOT rely on the stock market for our inner stability.

Many people are not invested in the stock market and yet their lives are greatly affected by what the market is doing.   For example, many companies cannot afford to keep some or many of their employees.  Some businesses cannot afford to stay in business.  We are, therefore, well advised to NOT depend on the economic conditions for our sense of internal security.

In these extraordinarily difficult times, we need to rely upon our inner resourcefulness and knowledge that we can "make it" no matter what.

Some people with whom I've spoken are counting on the election to get us out of economic turmoil.  This is the case for people who support McCain or Obama.  And yet, we cannot afford to wait until the election to take action to improve our lives… to have inner stability.

I very much appreciate during this period what Eckhart Tolle has said in The Power of Now. I hope it brings you comfort as well:

"Wherever you are, be there totally.   If you find your here and now intolerable and it makes you unhappy,you have three options: remove yourself from the situation, change it, or accept it totally.  If you want to take responsibility for your life, you must choose one of these three options, and you must choose now.  Then accept the consequences.  No excuses.  No negativity.  No psychic pollution."  (p.82)

"Make it a habit to monitor your mental-emotional state through self-observation. 'Am I at ease at this moment?' is a good question to ask yourself frequently.   Or you can ask: 'What's going on inside me at this moment?'  Be at least as interested in what goes on inside you as what happens outside.  If you get the inside right, the outside will fall into place." (p.77)