Life Without Ups and Downs is a chapter from Candice O'Denver's book, Clarity in Everyday Life

1. !
LIFE WITHOUT UPS AND DOWNS!
!
Life without ups and downs is inconceivable to most people. Yet, life without ups and downs is
the natural condition of every human being. Ups and downs are all based on believing that
thoughts, emotions, sensations and other experiences have the power to cause ups and downs,
but that is a fundamental misunderstanding. What appears within open intelligence never affects
open intelligence in any way. No matter what appears, open intelligence is unwavering and
unaltered. !
!
If you can acknowledge open intelligence more and more, you will come to know who you truly
are. You will be able to handle all situations without impediment, and you will be able to do
things you could never have imagined doing or achieving. This will occur for you naturally and
effortlessly by simply letting the powerful current of open intelligence be as it is with no need to
impose descriptions upon it. !
!
What is really required is taking a stand. You want to ensure yourself a state of mind that will not
be subjected to ups and downs based on personal or world events. It is important that you
ensure yourself this, because the super-intelligence that comes from complete mental and
emotional stability will allow you to deal skillfully with all your circumstances. Through deep
insight, clarity and compassion you will know how best to contribute to the world in a beneficial
way. !
!
You have to have confidence in the path you are on. If you were walking along a footpath and
you saw that the path would take you exactly where you wanted to go, then if you stumbled over
a rock on the way you would keep going anyway. You wouldn’t say, “Oh, this rock is evidence
that this path leads nowhere.” Keep your eye on the prize. If you are on a path and you are
certain that it leads you to where you want to go, then if you stumble on something along the
way, you need not be deterred.!