Does life feel harder than it should? In Chopra’s fourth law, “The Law of Least Effort,” he explains how you can “do less and accomplish more.”
By looking at Nature, Chopra encourages us to see how things can occur effortlessly. He explains that flowers don’t try to bloom, they just do, and fish don’t learn to swim, they just swim. In the same way, when you are operating out of your true Self, in harmony with your true nature, things become effortless…you can begin to “do less and accomplish more.”
So what does it mean to operate out of your true Self and to be in harmony with your true nature?
I’ve always enjoyed writing and playing with words and ideas. I loved university and really enjoyed my final year writing a thesis. One day I was speaking with a friend who has been a farmer all his working life. He said he would hate doing what I do. He cringes even having to write a letter or email.
When I think about the life of a farmer - early mornings, physical labour, long days - I also cringe. I know I would struggle to enjoy being a farmer and I know my friend would struggle to be a writer. It’s a beautiful reminder of how wonderful it is that we’re all different. It’s also a stark reminder that we find some things more effortless than others.
The secret to living a happy and healthy life is to do more of what you find effortless and enjoyable. This is what Chopra is referring to when he says you should live from your true Self. As 13th Century Persian poet, Rumi explains, “Everyone has been made for some particular work, and the desire for that work has been put in every heart.”
Have you, or are you doing things in your life that are going against your true Self, going against your grain? When you spend your life doing things that aren’t quite right for you, life begins to feel like you are pushing a wheel barrow of wet cement up a hill.
Sometimes you have to do things out of necessity, be it for financial reasons, family commitments or a multitude of other reasons. Living too far outside of what you would like to be doing, however, can be a damaging way to live. Not only do you begin to lose a sense of who you are and what you love, but you become more stressed and unhappy, which can lead to serious health issues.
If you are unable to work in a career that supports you, then it becomes even more important to do things during your free time that help you stay connected with what you love. When you do things you love, your body responds to this and your stress levels decrease and you begin to feel calmer and happier.
As Johnny Carson, the host of The Tonight Show said, “Never continue in a job you don’t enjoy. If you’re happy in what you’re doing, you’ll like yourself, you’ll have inner peace. And if you have that, along with physical health, you will have had more success than you could possibly have imagined.”
Are there things in your life you could be doing that could bring you more joy? Could you consider a career change that might be more fulfilling?
Jess xx
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