Alexandra: Hello Universe. I’m so sorry, but I don’t have much time to chat tonight. It’s late and I need to get ready for sleep.

The Universe: We understand, dear Alexandra. We know you’ve had a busy day today.

A: Yes, and a good day, too! Including a realisation that a dream I was focusing on was actually a fantasy, and surprisingly, I don’t feel any pain of loss. No disappointment. Just clarity.

U: That is good!

A: Yes, it is, thank you. Emotional melodrama avoided. Phew!

U: We sense something different about you.

A: Yes. Something revolutionary happened yesterday. I didn’t have to resist the urge to open my laptop to watch videos. I simply thought, “I don’t feel like it.”

I don’t feel like it! Normally I just feel the uncontrollable need that addicts have to get a dopamine hit.

I think I got a boost of pure energy when I encouraged a young Buddhist friend on the phone. It’s so great how selflessly helping someone helps the helper too!

U: Indeed.

A: I’m not going to make any exultant statements about “I’ve beaten it!” as I have in the past. I just think this is an interesting development, and I’ll watch what happens in the coming days.

Florence Scovel Shinn says:

Nothing on Earth can resist an absolutely non-resistant person.

It makes sense, because when I’m resistant, I focus intently on the thing I tell myself I don’t want. But focusing on it so intently makes me hyper aware of it. Whereas almost casually ignoring it means it doesn’t mean much to me, which is why it leaves my life. I’m not feeding it with my energy anymore, so it no longer has a hold on me.

And I do know, based on previous experience, that no addiction is ultimately a match for the person with a strong Buddhist practice!

U: Excellent . We like where you’re coming from. It promises well for where you’re going.

A: Where’s that?

The Universe: That’s for you to find out, dear Alexandra.

Photo by svklimkin on Unsplash