When Things Get Under Our Skin

March 18, 2024

Things that get under our skin are not always irritants. For example, the needle of an IV goes under our skin, but it’s there to heal our malady. It infuses fluids, plasma, blood, or various medicines into our bodies. Besides the typically painful process of piercing the vein, many of us are content to keep that needle under our skin for as long as it takes.

It’s a different way of looking at negativity, but imagine if you could turn an irritant into medicine. The things that get under my skin signal that my ego is peeved, miffed, or irritated. That doesn’t mean my (or anyone else’s) ego concerns are wrong. It just means that when we feel irritated, we can inquire to ourselves about it. In self-inquiry, we learn if the emotion springs from a place inside us that we are unaware of, that means it is egocentric.

For example, it gets under my skin if my administrative assistant (whom I love) forgets to turn on the lights in the lobby in the morning. The irritation sparks a self-inquiry in which I realize my ego wants her to meet my needs, and when she doesn’t appear to be, it feels slighted, then irritated. On the other hand, my soul knows that I, too, forget many things that my assistant needs me. Furthermore, the Truth is that there will always be “things done and left undone” that are totally out of our immediate control. But the ego cannot readily accept that part of reality, so it fights reality until it submits to the soul.

If I can shift to a soul served by my ego from an unchecked ego that serves itself, things will be different. The irritant under my skin is seen for what it is, and the lack of light in the lobby triggers acceptance and compassion. The irritant transforms into an IV of Truth circulating throughout my system.

So, what’s the soul’s response to the dark lobby in the mornings? It sighs but then helps me realize that my ego serves me best by being the energy to turn on the lights instead of holding a grudge. In the grand scheme of things, this works very well.

Inquiry: What would it take to ensure your irritants remained under your skin?

Dear God,

For the self-care to self-inquire, I pray with all my heart.

Amen.

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