The timeless axiom inspired by The Law of Attraction — What you resist persists — is worth revisiting often because it is so important.  Resistance to 'WHAT IS' is one of the most common traps that people fall into that is causing both; (A) present moment unhappiness, and (B) attracting more unpleasant and undesired situations, of a similar nature, into their lives in the future — essentially sabotaging themselves.

This axiom is related to one of the key Law of Attraction Pearls of Wisdom that I've written about before — Focus on what you want, not what you don't want'What you resist persists' is just another way of saying 'Don't focus on what you don't want.'  Because when you are resisting things you don't like that's EXACTLY what you are doing — FOCUSING on what you DON'T WANT!  If you realized how counter-productive fighting against situations that aren't going your way is, you'd be appalled and cease the habit immediately.  It might not be too much of an exaggeration to say 'Resistance is Futile!'

To resist something is to oppose it, or push against it, to try to force it to something other than it is.  When you put your focus on fighting, or struggling against an unwanted situation in your life, be it work, debt, ill-health, something painful in your past, a difficult relationship, or whatever what you are effectively saying to the Universe is GIVE ME MORE OF THIS — because that's the way the Law of Attraction works!  It always gives you more of what you focus on.

There are many unwanted situations that arise in our daily lives.  Thankfully, most are minor.  How we perceive and respond to these little, or not so little, undesired circumstances can make all the difference in the world in the experience we create for ourselves and others involved. Most people, to varying degrees, fight or resist circumstances like these, allowing themselves to become frustrated, annoyed, impatient, indignant, or even mad — often accompanied by complaining and blaming.  And of course, this only serves to create a less wonderful and more unpleasant experience for themselves and everyone involved.

You know when you are resisting something — your mind festers on the situation or subject, and you feel frustrated, annoyed, and unhappy.  And it is often accompanied by complaining and blaming, and bitching and moaning.  It might be a person who is thwarting your plans, or a circumstance that is counter to your expected or desired outcome, or a policy that you think is wrong or is hindering you — you name it.  There are endless variations at every level — from personal to collective, and from minor to major.

Why Is Resistance So Counter-productive?

Not only does resisting WHAT IS lead to unhappiness in the present moment but, by The Law of Attraction, it also makes it more likely that the undesired situation will continue and similar undesirable circumstances will occur in the future!  Resistance is one of the habits that is unknowingly sabotaging many people's happiness and greatly contributing to their miscreations — keeping undesirable experiences in their life.

The Law of Attraction states that what you focus on, think about, and invest emotional energy towards is what you will attract into your life.  And when you are resisting something that's exactly what you are doing — intensely thinking about and focusing on, usually with strong emotions, the thing you are resisting!   Which means you are very likely to get more of that very thing — which is by definition something you don't like or want!

It's OK to notice what you don't want because it provides the contrast that allows you to recognize what you do want.   Notice stuff you don't want for an instant and then choose what you DO WANT and put your attention on that and only on that.

Here's a quote, from the highly recommended book The Law of Attraction: The Basics of the Teachings of Abraham, that dramatically illustrates the point made above.

Creators of WORLDS are not trying to fix problems.  Creators of worlds identify what is not wanted for a split second, and then imagine and feel what is wanted for eternity.    —Abraham Hicks, The Law of Attraction

The Power of Non-Resistance and Acceptance

One of the secrets to not attracting undesirable situations into your life and creating the smoothest, most peaceful and happy experience of life possible is the consistent application of the principle of Non-Resistance.  Another term for Non-Resistance is ACCEPTANCE. Non-resistance involves the mental and emotional discipline to accept whatever arises as if you had chosen it.  Instead of fighting undesirable situations that arise, accept them and work with them not against them — simply try to the make the best of them.

So here is one of my golden rules:

Whatever arises, accept it and make the best of It.

Sometimes this may mean completely letting go and just going with the flow.  Other times it might mean taking a different or alternative approach to the problem but, and this is an important point, without holding any resentment.  Guess what resentment is, it's a form of resistance, a form of non-acceptance, and a subtle focusing of one's energy on something you don't like and don't want — don't do it!  Not only does the path of acceptance make everything go smoother and happier for everyone involved in the present moment but it makes it less likely that you will experience similar undesired situations in the future!

This doesn't mean you can never express your dissatisfaction with something you don't like — whether it's the weather that didn't cooperate with your planned outing, or the behavior of a friend or co-worker, a government or business policy, or whatever. It's OK to voice your concerns about things that aren't serving your best interests or the best interests of all.  It's OK to take a stand on an issue BUT, and this is a BIG but, if ALL that you are doing is fighting against what you don't want then you are shooting yourself in the foot — you are miscreating.  Because resisting what you don't like is focusing on what you don't want and that tends to sustain the very thing you consider a problem and would like to see go away.

To improve situations like these, and to make sure you don't get more like them, you must give as little energy to them as possible.  To create something other than what you are fighting against or resisting you must give as little attention and energy to the problem and as much energy as you can (thoughts, emotions, imagination, intention, action and words) towards the solution or the way you would prefer things to be in the future — you must produce constructive energy.

What you focus on, you make bigger.  The more energy you put into something, the more power you give it.  Energy flows where attention goes, so resisting something just adds to it.  It's in focusing on what you don't want that creates more of what you don't want.

Here's a pearl of wisdom to always keep in mind:

Where your energy flows your reality goes.

What if we made a habit of completely accepting whatever arises, even if it wasn't exactly what we expected or desired?  What if, instead of fighting these situations, we strived to make the best of them?

I can tell you what would happen!  Things would go a lot smoother, and everybody would be a lot happier!  By completely accepting and making the best of every situation, no matter what it is, you'll experience increased peace of mind, and your life will flow with increased ease and grace!

Here's a quote from the globally respected modern spiritual teacher, Eckhart Tolle, that echoes the sentiment expressed above:

You are a creator, and you are creating with your thoughts and emotions.  Where you put your focus and emotional energy is what you get more of in your reality.  And your thoughts and emotion are energy, as well as your words and actions — so point them in a constructive direction as much as you can.  Fighting what you don't want is not constructive.

This applies not only to personal situations but also the collective situations.  Many concerned citizens spend most of their energy fighting against government and corporate policies that they don't like rather than investing their energy to support what they do want.

The Power of Taking Responsibility for Everything You Experience

There are only two reasons why any experience comes into your life: (1) you have directly or indirectly created and attracted the experience via the Law of Attraction, regardless of whether you understand the reasons or not or (2) your higher-self designed them as a needed catalyst for your growth.   This realization can dramatically change your perspective about the adverse situations that enter your life.   When you fully embrace them as your creations you are then empowered to dis-create them with your knowledge of the mechanics of creation and with your mental and emotional self-mastery.

By taking full responsibility for every situation that arises and accepting it AS IS, and making the best of it, you make these moments go as smoothly as possible for everyone involved, including yourself, and you pave the way for smooth sailing in the future.

Expect wonderful!