“You don’t have to like it. But it’s easier if you do.”—Byron Katie
Over the years, I’ve offered up a simple two-step gratitude game (A.A. 2.0) and dispensed life’s two magic words.
But today, I’m taking it a step further, paring it down to one simple word that continues to be a game-changer in my life.
The word is Akwaaba! It means welcome in Twi, the language of Ghana. I say it to every single feeling, every single thought, especially those I think I don’t want.
What I’ve noticed is that when I refuse to welcome a feeling or a thought, it tends to grow arms and legs.
But whenever I say “C’mon in, take your shoes off,” the negative thought realizes it no longer has power over me. It loses interest and literally slithers away.
Most of life’s problems can be boiled down to some version of “I don’t like this. I don’t want this.” And who wants to welcome something unpleasant like that?
Instead, we try to change it, suppress it, fix it or figure it out. But that gives it power it really doesn’t have. It takes a flimsy, insubstantial thought and turns it into a sh*t show.
It’s like the Seinfeld episode where Jerry freaks out when he hears the pilot of the airplane he’d flown to Ithaca is in the audience, eventually causing Elaine to get fired, George to humiliate himself and the pilot to rescind his boarding pass on the flight home. It was no big deal–except in Jerry’s mind.
Once I open my arms to a negative feeling or thought, when I say, “Yes, you are welcome here,” it dissolves on its own. Without me having to change it, fix it or figure it out. Trying to rid yourself of a “negative problem” is to give it power. In fact, when you really get it that every so-called negative thought has only arisen because you’re ready to let it go, you’re tempted to throw a party.
The real miracle is not just the undoing of the anguish (the “negativity ” that I either suppressed or fought to eliminate). It’s the riches that flood in when I free up the space.
Try it this weekend, my friends, as you go out and have the VERY BEST WEEKEND OF YOUR LIFE. #222 Forever
Pam Grout is the author of 20 books including E-Squared, E-Cubed, Thank & Grow Rich and her latest book, The Course in Miracles Experiment: A Starter Kit for Rewiring Your Mind (And Therefore Your World) that has just been turned into an app. Badass ACIM (badass-acim.com)
25 Responses
Akwaaba!!! My new favorite word and such a great tool!!! As always, your timing is perfect! Love you 🙃✍️🙂 Pam
https://onbeing.org/programs/drew-lanham-i-worship-every-bird-that-i-see/
You will love this episode!!!
Thanks Pam! I will take a look 👀! You’re the best! 🙂
A friend of mine, whose blog I now maintain since he passed last spring, said something very similar when addressing the issue of pain relief:
https://sofarfromheaven.com/?s=amazing+instant+pain+relief
Akwaaba! It’s a way to disarm negative energy from a thought or a feeling by welcoming it into the circle of all my feelings, into what is my reality. If I can welcome a feeling or thought that I don’t like or that makes me uncomfortable, then my fear of it, “slithers away”. Awesome!! Thank you, once again, Pam, for your insight and clarity!! Love and blessings to you!
Thank you and sending blessings to you, as well.
I really liked your post! It is a great reminder that what we resist persists. The sentiment reminds me of my favorite Rumi poem called The Guesthouse, which basically calls on us to welcome whatever shows up on our doorstep each day.
I love that poem!
Wow! This is quite amazing. Even though I know that “what you resist, persists” and I understand that it’s better to face or accept all my feelings, I’ve never heard it put this way before, and this really feels hugely life changing! To actually welcome my thoughts, feelings and experiences – to welcome them with open arms when I’d actually prefer to push them away or close the door in their face – feels truly freeing and miraculous. I “get it” deep inside and I can feel that just taking this step of welcoming my “negative” thoughts and feelings will be incredibly significant and healing for me. Thankyou Pam. Your work has blessed my life in so many ways. May the Universe pour abundant blessings on you as beautiful as a sunshine shower, and may you have the best weekend of your life too! 😁
🌼🦋🌦☀️☔️💛
Thank you, my friend! When I use the word, I also spread my arms out wide. It truly makes a huge difference.
Cool! I’ll try that too. Thanks 😇🥰
Dear Pam, I don’t know if this will come right back at you, but I want to tell you how brilliant your messages are for me. I have been following you for years with ever growing respect and inspiration.
I shared this one all over the place and recently signed up for your amazing badass app which I totally love.
Giant blessings to you!!! Now on to your books and looking for how to donate to your wonderful legacy fund????.
Jennifer Faith Stanley La cochera cultural Axixic Mexico
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Dear Jennifer–How wonderful to hear from you. Are you in Ajijic? I have spent several months there over the years. As Paramahansa Yogananda predicted, it is an important spiritual center.
This is awesome! Thanks, Pam! I am going to try it this very weekend and make it the best weekend ever!
It is so! Thanks!
OMG Pam !!! How perfect! I was asking for help yesterday , as i was having trouble in letting go ( forgiving ) a certain situation where I was badly betrayed by someone . I would try to not think about it ( knowing it would make me sick to store anger in my cells ) but I knew the strong negative feelings were still there . And now I got your post …. I feel instantly relieved !!! THNAK YOU !!!!
Perfect timing as usual! I’ve been struggling trying to ‘let go’ of an issue and have found that instead of letting go, I’ve actually been ‘hanging on’. I’m going to use this starting now!
Thank you Pam!
Thank you Pam Grout. I love your words of wisdom that pop into my email every so often. The timing of this one is perfect for me today and I will give it a go
Love it!!!! Going to use it all day and hopefully forever!!!
“Every so-called negative thought has only arisen because you’re ready to let it go.”
Holy. Wow.
(And thank you!)
I know this sounds insane but my husband was the pilot in that Seinfeld episode
That’s hilarious❣ So very cool. What’s the odds?? Just watched him glaring at Seinfeld from the audience lol 🙃
WOW! That was some beautiful insight! Thanks again, Pam!
With love and from love,
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CKTnYAWCJ-e/?igshid=1o0rbirgd5q8f
Someone just sent me this and I knew it was for you. This is just amazing…..
https://twitter.com/bipbopbap/status/1355607130510942216?s=20