Mastering Self - My Greatest Accomplishment

Mastering Self - My Greatest Accomplishment

by Rebecca L. Norrington

What if I told you that you have the power to create Heaven on Earth when you MASTER SELF? Would you believe it? If not, let me explain.

YOU are the most powerful person in the Universe! More importantly, you don't have to search for your power. Your power lives WITHIN. Your power is your birthright and you have the ability to access it at any moment. Accessing your power and making choices that serve you is my definition of Self-Mastery. Mastering SELF includes mastering emotions, behaviors and actions.

At any given moment in any given day you are making choices. To clarify, I'm not referring to which restaurant you choose or which outfit makes you look slimmer. No, I'm talking about your day-to-day choices while interacting with the world. As an example, let me share a personal story.

Shhhhh...don't tell anyone! When I drive I usually drive over the speed limit. I could've have been a racecar driver however my parents wanted me to get an education and consequently I became side-tracked. Anyway, back to the story. When I pass another driver it's usually because they aren't traveling as fast as I'd like. Yes, there've been several instances while attempting to pass a slower driver; I've received the universal one-finger salute. I never understood why passing a stranger on the road invoked such a passionate response however I've accepted this phenomenon for what it is... these people are taking MY actions personally.
Recently, I was driving to the bus station where I park-and-ride an express bus to my downtown Los Angeles office. What happended next is my example of Self-Mastery. More importantly, what happened next solidified the importance of me CHOOSING Happiness over my ego.

I was stopped at a traffic signal. There were three lanes of southbound traffic and I was positioned in the far right lane. As soon as the light turned green I shot out like the first horse out of the gate at a race track. I floored the pedal to the medal as I began to pass the motorist on my left. Well, the driver on my left side rejected my Mario Andretti maneuver and refused to let me pass. In fact, without warning he violently turned his steering wheel toward my automobile! It was a dangerous and blatant attempt to drive me off the road! Unlike my memory, my reflexes still remain quick and sharp. I immediately slammed on the brakes while sharply turning right to avoid hitting him and the curb ahead.

I'm sure you can imagine several ways a person could choose to react at this moment however I did not choose the typical "angry" response. I chose a reaction that was out of the norm. A reaction that required an instant connection to the Universe. Can you guess which reaction I'm describing?

Admittedly, my adrenaline was pumping while swerving off the road to avoid a collision. After coming to a stop, I took a few deep breaths and gathered my thoughts. I recovered quickly and began my intended journey to the bus station. Well, guess who I ran into (pun intended) on the way to my final destination? Yes, as fate would have it, Mr. Road Rage was stopped at the next approaching signal. I drove directly behind Mr. R. Rage and I snapped a picture of his license plate with my iPhone...just in case he was as dangerous as he had moments before displayed. The traffic light turned green and I changed lanes to position myself directly on his left side. We traveled side by side for approximately a half mile before another traffic light stopped us both.

After Mr. R. Rage stopped for the light he slowly inched his car forward, past the cross-walk far enough to practically reach the intersection. I did the same. I could feel he wanted to avoid any contact with me. I rolled down my passenger window while he continued to stare straight ahead. I then tapped on the horn to get his attention, toot-toot. He ignored me. I tapped again, toot-toot. He finally looked my way and then our eyes met.

I clasped my hands together in a submissive praying position. My demeanor was calm. I motioned for him to roll his window down and after a few seconds he did so, reluctantly. I began with "Sir, I was almost in an accident because of the way you changed lanes", I continued in my sweetest voice, "please be careful!" My hands were still in the prayer position. At that moment we were looking directly into each other's eyes. The (attempted) murderer was momentarily confused and lost for words. He wasn't expecting this chosen response. I gave him a reassuring smile and he said...wait for it...wait for it...

"I'm sorry, I didn't see you." I quickly offered an okay, no problem adding thank you and drive safely. I flashed the Universal peace sign and drove off. At this moment I needed to check the rear-view mirror to make sure I was the one speaking because I didn't recognize myself. You see, before I began practicing Self-Mastery, I would have (at least) spat out four-letter expletives coupled with a call to 911 in an attempt to have his ass arrested!

Of course, his statement "I didn't see you" was not true and his actions were dangerous and deliberate. However, I CHOSE to ignore these facts. Why? Because maintaining and sustaining my Happiness at the time was more important. My internal peace was and always is my priority. Circumstances, events and people come and go in and out of our lives at a constant flow. When you practice the skill of Self-mastery you and you alone, are responsible for your Happiness.

Self-mastery is about creating and maintaining inner peace, a personal environment for your Self. When you master Self you are no longer a victim of circumstances because your power lies in your CHOICE of reactions. You have the power to change your reaction to anything that has happened, is happening, or will happen to you!

Please take note that I said change your reaction to what happens in your life not the circumstances! This Truth is a very important concept to get. Giving up trying to control anything OUTSIDE of yourself is a key component to Self-mastery.

Elements to Self-Mastery

1. You and you alone are responsible for your internal state of being.

2. Recover quickly! The past exists as long as you focus on it.

3. Make a daily commitment to practice mastering self.

4. Have fun learning the skills to self-mastery. Invent new ways to respond to old issues.

5. When you master SELF mastering the world becomes EASY.

If I offered you heaven on earth would you be willing to make the commitment to Self-Mastery? Interestingly enough, some people are committed to Self-Mastery and some aren't. Some people are governed by circumstances, events and other people. I choose none of those options because I've ALREADY lived that way for decades. I still remember how living like that felt. It was similar to riding a rollercoaster, up down, up down, up down and the ride never ended... until I chose to master Self.

Finally, mastering any new skill takes time, patience and more importantly a commitment. Self-mastery involves consciously committing to practicing on a daily basis. When you do, your reward will be living in Heaven on Earth!

About Rebecca L. Norrington
Rebecca L. Norrington is first and foremost a student of the Universe and ITs Laws. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology, along with decades of education and training on topics from Spirituality to Human Behavior. Her professional journey includes several vocations: Radio Host, Author, Speaker, Spiritual Teacher, and Fitness Instructor. In August 2011, Rebecca premiered RealitySpirituality, an online radio show that shares revolutionary tools and strategies that enable you to maintain and sustain a personal vibration of internal peace and contentment, regardless of your external circumstances. Rebecca loves to focus on everyday circumstances and events and how these circumstances and events align with our personal vibration. Rebecca's RealitySpirituality audience has grown rapidly and currently has thousands of listeners around the world. Rebecca has a clear vision of hosting RealitySpirituality on the OWN network.
RealitySpirituality can be heard LIVE every Sunday at 7:00 AM (PST).
For more information: www.rebeccanorrington.com & www.realityspirituality.com

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