Learning to confront the duality that resides within us all

Sometimes we are put in positions that we least expect when we least expect them. And when we are, it is up to us to show up as our authentic selves even when those around us are trying to provoke or invoke the dark side that we all carry.
Sometimes we are placed in positions where we have to confront the dark, the duality that resides within us all. Not to be incited to hate. But to be sympathetic and compassionate as well as accept the situation for what it is. To know that we can't always hide from what we don't like. To know that what we don't like is actually asking us to dig deep within ourselves to find why we don't like it. To find why it creates an emotional response to it, honour that response and then let it go.
Sometimes we are placed in positions we thought we had overcome. Only to find the situation will not leave us. It keeps coming back over and over again. To try us. To test us. And in some cases, to jeer us it seems. And when we find ourselves in these situations, it is usually because we are lending too much energy to the situation. Giving too much of ourselves to something that does not deserve the energy it takes.
As time goes on and we mature through forgiveness, we realise those situations thrive on drama rather than on love. So it is up to us to meet those situations with love and compassion and acceptance. To know and see the duality that exists within us all. Such that when we find ourselves in these situations, we must approach them from a place of love and compassion. A place that does not allow us to take on the drama of the aggressor, the attacker or the one who wants to win. Because we recognise in every situation each one of us loses a little something in order to gain. And as such there really are no outright winners or losers in anything particularly if we are trying to grow ourselves and become more compassionate and accepting people.
Sometimes when we are confronted by that which we dread, I believe it is the Universe telling us unless we let it go, unless we accept the situation for what it is, we will continue to attract it into our lives. Into our minds. Into our heads. Whereas if we are truly ready to let the situation go, surrender it back to where it came from and accept that some situations are not meant to be understood totally but are sent to help us to learn more about what we can and cannot tolerate, even when there is pain, we will find healing. And we will remain our authentic selves even when others are trying to bring us down. Even when they are fighting with us because we realise it is not us they are fighting. They are fighting themselves.
What I am learning is until each one of us is in touch with our true selves, we can never know peace contentment or joy. There will always be situations that test us and try to bring out our dark sides but when we are true to who we are, those situations will not hurt us. They most definitely will test us to see where we are in our journey. But if we show up as we truly are, as our authentic selves, we will see the trying situations as the lessons they really are and grow from them. Rather than shrink from them. Or worse, becoming them.
What I am also learning is at the end of the day love conquers all. In order to be able to give love, we have to start with loving ourselves. And the only way that can happen is for us to be authentically who we are and live from that place even when situations show up to taunt us. Only then are we opening ourselves to learn to confront the duality that resides within us all from a place of love, compassion and understanding.