Those Button Pushers

Who are the people who seem to be able to push your buttons and send you into a frenzy?

Your spouse?

Your children?

Your parents?

A certain
employee?

Your boss?

A neighbor?


I'm talking about the ones who really seem to get to you.

Anyone else might say the same thing
and you are able to blissfully ignore them
and even respond in your most spiritual
and unconditionally loving tone,
"Thank you for sharing."

Obviously those people do not present any threat
to your being an instrument of peace.

It's those button pushers,
the ones who succeed in sending you
into a state of frustration and turmoil
with a simple look of disapproval or a frown,
who are your greatest teachers.

Begin recognizing that all of these people
are your master teachers,
assisting you in being an instrument of peace.

That's right, these are your guides,
and they have much to teach you.

The moments when you think someone else
is causing the disorder and chaos
that you are feeling
are moments to recognize
that that person is allowing you to discover
that you have not yet mastered yourself.

That's right,
you needed a reminder
that you have work to do on yourself
in order to be an instrument of peace.


Remember,
the state of enlightenment
is a state of being immersed in,
and surrounded by peace.

Anyone whom you have given authority
to remove you from that position
is a reminder to you
of just what you must do
in order to become more peaceful.

In my life,
my wife and children are my greatest teachers.

I call these very special teachers
my soul mates.

Now my definition of a soul mate
is not someone who agrees with you on every issue,
shares the same interests,
and is always attempting
to please you.

I define soul mates as
the ones you love deeply,
but whom you can never get rid of,
who always show up,
and with whom you are
often in disagreement.


These soul mates are
your greatest teachers
because they are
a continuous reminder,
sent by God(dess),
to help you
to master yourself.

So it is tremendously beneficial
if you are aware that these
are people to honor.


My wife is just such a person.

We have been together for many years,
weathering crises together,
but still I can be upset over something
she said
or the tone of voice she may have used.

I know full well that had anyone else said it to me that way,
I would have dismissed it and been at peace instantly.

Yet, with my soul mate,
I am not at peace.

Likewise, I have given my children the same power.

In moments of quiet reflection on my being upset
I realize that once again I have not passed this simple test
---
the ability to be at peace in the face of my master teachers.

To be an instrument of thy peace you (and I) must be able to radiate outward that which we are inside.

Regardless of what or when we encounter them,
our master teachers are there to help us
to become an instrument of peace.

Someday, gradually to be sure, I will be able to be at peace
even in those moments when my greatest teachers
are doing their very best work!






... from the book, "There's A Spiritual Answer to Every Problem,"
by Dr. Wayne W. Dyer