Do you have smarty pants syndrome? This is what one of my teachers Marie Forleo calls it when you pride yourself on “knowing” stuff and are in fact, quite intelligent. You like figuring stuff out and having the answers.
Knowing is safe. Knowing is comfortable. And, there is a part of our nature whose very purpose it is to keep us safe. So, where knowing equals safety, not knowing can often be uncomfortable and for some, even paralyzing.
I was definitely a “like to know it” kind of gal and whether I was teaching kids about Watergate, researching the first instance of eating disorders in the Victorian Era, delivering statistics on the effectiveness of counseling, writing direct response copy, tracking every mile I ran on every trail, using numbers to understand energy in the universe or detailing my financial projections for a given year, I was happy in that knowing state. And when something showed up in my life that I didn’t have the answer for, you can bet I wore out my brain trying to figure it out.
I’d talk about it, mull it over, make predictions, ask “what if?”, cry, research an explanation for it, get validation from others about it, and do a whole mess of stuff that would no more give me the answer than would asking for guidance from my pet rock.
So, what is the answer when you don’t have all the answers? It’s simple – let it go. There are likely 2 things at work here. You either actually have the answer but you don’t like it so you are trying to come up with one you like better. Or, the answer is in front of you but there is no room for it to show up because you keep getting in it’s way.
I have been going through a few things over the past several months that have really required me to let go. Sure, I still get lost in my head sometimes and try to figure it out but once I become aware of the fact that I am trying to use my mind to figure out something the mind can’t know, I just let it go. It is an infinitely more pleasurable place to be. So whereas before the unknown used to be a scary idea for me, now it’s kind of exciting because when you really think about it, when there is no obvious answer, there are no limits to the possibilities either.
Besides, are we really better off when we KNOW anyway?
{ 4 comments }
LET IT GO!!!
To some people that is irresponsible.
To ME… letting it go is :::LIBERATING!::: I don’t have to worry about it any more. I AM IN CHARGE of my feelings. My circumstance isn’t controlling me.
Whether you let it go to your God, family, boss, cat or dog… it doesn’t matter.
Just saying that felt good!
Blessings! dp
Donna Payne´s last blog post..Conversations in the Car – and a CHALLENGE for YOU!
Yes. Liberating is a great word!
Hi Melani!
I’ve been looking in my inbox for your Mind Matters Newsletter, and am so glad to receive it.
A thought about “knowing” – while we can’t always know for sure where there are elements outside our control, we can choose the outcome we want for the things we *can* control. Will I succeed if I start a new business? OK, there are outside factors that may affect it (like a humungous recession). But there are many factors that I can control, like having a wonderful service and putting the message out. Do your very very best…. then let go.
Catherine Novak´s last blog post..Getting Back On Track After You’ve Been Derailed
> let it go.
is the KEY to a “7″ Karmic Lesson.
Melani, I enjoy reading your posts. Your strong “5″ shines thru’ well with your smooth & crispy clear words.
I am sure your copy writing is pretty good too.
John Ho
Understanding Personalities for Better Influence & Persuasion
John Ho´s last blog post..True Lies or "Truth" – Shocking predictions from Gerald Celente ….+ How Pure Numerology Helps You?
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