Nothing can cause more suffering than trying to make the right decision. This can be especially difficult when trying to figure out what to do when our pet is diagnosed with a serious disease such as cancer.
Then, the options start appearing. Should I have the surgery done? Should I have chemotherapy done? Should I try to go an alternative and natural route? And the hardest, When is it time to let go?
We are blessed as humans to have a wonderful, intellectual mind that is good at solving problems. That is when they are simple problems. The intellectual mind can only deal with what it has experienced and use the memory to recall as to what might be the best route for dealing with choices. Using the intellectual mind for dealing with the difficult choices that I previously mentioned is like using a comic book to figure out quantum physics. It can’t do the job.
The other thing that is often overlooked about making the hard decisions is our inherent desire to control the outcome. Humans, by nature, want to be in control of their lives in an attempt to feel secure. We believe that if we can make our lives stable and predictable then we can sit back and relax and enjoy. Unfortunately, that is not how life works. Life is all about change and will not be denied and the resistance to that change will definitely cause suffering.
If we can’t rely on the intellectual mind for answers and we have this urge to control the outcome when we don’t have the ability to do so, then what can we do to help us through these times? We seek the truth. You know the old saying, “The truth shall set you free.” At least it might ease the suffering.
If you have a pet with cancer and you are trying to determine if surgery or chemotherapy is the best route for my pet, ask yourself the question, “Who am I that wants to find the answer? Am I the one who is really asking the question? Who am I? Am I this body? Am I the source of these negative thoughts and hurtful emotions? If you look closely enough and contemplate these questions, you will realize that there is no you looking for answers. There are just thoughts and feelings appearing. They come and go like clouds passing in a clear sky.
Have you ever been to a county fair? They have this carnival ride where the children get into little boats that float on the water. Each boat has a little steering wheel so that the child can drive the boat. When the boat starts moving and comes to the bend, the child reacts and turns the steering wheel to compensate for the bend and the boat turns according to her desire. She is joyful and happy and feels in control. But, is she in control? Below the water’s surface you will find that the boat has a wheel that is guided by a rail so that the boat makes the adjustments, not the child turning the steering wheel.
The truth is that this is exactly what is going on when you are attempting to turn the steering wheel, trying to make the hard decisions. In truth, the answers will be given to you and move you to make a choice. Like the child, we enjoy taking credit for the decision and action.
There was a research project done at a university where they put a person in front of a computer. The individual was attached to a machine that could detect emotions and reactions. The computer would randomly display pictures rapidly. A picture might be of a beautiful scenic and the next might be of a horrible car accident. When they looked at the instruments readings, they realized that the emotional reaction started before the picture appeared on the computer. The reaction was not from the individual, but something else and the body/mind took credit for it.
Another example happened during the 9-11 tragedy. Throughout the US, there are machines that are placed strategically that monitor collective energy of the people. They use the machines to research how emotions, thoughts at a collective level affect the environment. Just before the 9-11 tragedy, the machines registered a severe collective emotional response. The pertinent fact is that is happened BEFORE the event, and not after.
How does all of this apply to making the hard decisions dealing with our pet’s illness? Even though it feels like we are making the choices, in truth, we are not. Our intellectual mind will fret and fret over the options, but the choice will happen on its own, no matter how much research and stress and suffering you add to the event. It seems like we are waffling between this choice and that choice and then we make a decision. What happens is that our mind waffles and then in the present moment, action happens to make the choice and then our mind convinces us that we made the choice.
This information that directs our choices is from our higher selves. We are deeply aware that we are more than just this body. Our higher selves are at the same level of consciousness that our pet’s higher selves exist. They are aware of the desires and needs of each other. This awareness is passed down to and through us and we act on that awareness. It is not a conscious act, but a conscious reaction after the decision has been make.
It may be hard for you to accept this because the personal mind wants to take responsibility for our choices and decisions as it gives it strength and gains our attention. When we align ourselves with this truth, we don’t pay as much attention to the indecisive mind and we allow the decision to come to us without resistance. The suffering is diminished and a sense of allowance develops. When that arises, there is no second guessing, no guilt, no questioning our decisions, only allowance.
