You may have noticed from time to time how the very characteristic, product, habit, way of being, or physical attribute that serves us and makes us happy also gets in our way and causes chaos in our lives.

Here's an example: I am very intentional. I get things done. I was in the restaurant business for a couple of decades (which, by the way, is one of the best training grounds for awareness I know of) so I see lots of moving parts at one time and how they need to fit together to get the job done, fast.  Very handy attribute to have in any business. Not such a good thing to have when you're a woman in a relationship with a man. Not really a feminine trait. Caused much emotional chaos.

Another example: Let's say you're really empathetic and can have compassion for other people's points of view easily. And, let's say, that quality has endeared you to many and caused people to love you. Then, and who knows why or when, it crossed some line and became a liability because you couldn't, or didn't, stand up for yourself. You were too busy seeing their point of view to ask about your own.

Get the idea?

What about chocolate? Soothing. Gives us a little lift. Satisfies something for us. Unless...we eat it after every meal, between them and just before bed.  That line is easy to see. Chocolate's not good or bad. Intentional, empathetic, also not good or bad.

It ALL depends on the moment and if we are able to switch from one edge of the sword to the other when it serves us.

EXPERIMENT: In the next 24 hours, identify two traits or ways of being that serve you sometimes and don't at others. You don't need to know how you developed these traits. Just observe when and where they serve you and when they don't. Have fun with this. We might just learn to dance on the edge of the sword!