- Jul 20, 2016
- 6,572
- 20,210
This is an old saying, but one that I've heard several times lately. I get an inner shudder because my grandfather fought in WW 1, my father, WW 2, and friends in Viet Nam. I do understand how powerful this idea is. It is one that brings you up short. You take a pause and consider the people, the situation, and then decide what to do.
A similar saying is "pick your battles", and is one with which I grew up because there were quite a few battles. I recall my mother teaching me to look at my dad's body language as he walked to the front door after work. As a child, I learned when and when not to ask him something. Both ideas paid off in my work life, as well.
It is not something that comes up in my private life now - I usually am able to flow with rhythms and energies. However, there are times when I'm around others who are taking early steps in their awareness, and this is where I've been hearing this phrase. They are stopping an established behavior pattern for a moment and considering if they want to continue. Well, yea for that!
Still something nags at me about this phrase. It seems win-lose, yes-no, black-white, live-die. One of the things that I've noticed as I made the choice to slow down, drop the multi-tasking, and take time just for me, is that there is so much more to see and feel. With a few minutes of just being, insight often flutters in and several options appear. I believe this is a way to be successful co-creators in our lives.
Recently, I knew an event would arise, and I was working my best for its success. Out of the blue, the time line changed and what I thought would be 2 weeks turned into 2 days. I'll be honest - I thought I might lose my mind. However, what I did first was to ask for support from trusted friends. When I thought the worst might happen on that hill, I stopped and felt the support of friends / God / Source (whatever you wish to name it). That, my friends, made all the difference.
Ok, I've taken you all the long way around the barn twice, but I think I've worked it out.
I'm ok with people using this phrase because it does serve as a change in awareness. I see my role as one to softly suggest that taking a bit of time for contemplation about all kinds of things might make the passage easier. Maybe there are things to do so we don't have to get to that hill. Or if we do, then there are ways to bring in help so we can survive.
A similar saying is "pick your battles", and is one with which I grew up because there were quite a few battles. I recall my mother teaching me to look at my dad's body language as he walked to the front door after work. As a child, I learned when and when not to ask him something. Both ideas paid off in my work life, as well.
It is not something that comes up in my private life now - I usually am able to flow with rhythms and energies. However, there are times when I'm around others who are taking early steps in their awareness, and this is where I've been hearing this phrase. They are stopping an established behavior pattern for a moment and considering if they want to continue. Well, yea for that!
Still something nags at me about this phrase. It seems win-lose, yes-no, black-white, live-die. One of the things that I've noticed as I made the choice to slow down, drop the multi-tasking, and take time just for me, is that there is so much more to see and feel. With a few minutes of just being, insight often flutters in and several options appear. I believe this is a way to be successful co-creators in our lives.
Recently, I knew an event would arise, and I was working my best for its success. Out of the blue, the time line changed and what I thought would be 2 weeks turned into 2 days. I'll be honest - I thought I might lose my mind. However, what I did first was to ask for support from trusted friends. When I thought the worst might happen on that hill, I stopped and felt the support of friends / God / Source (whatever you wish to name it). That, my friends, made all the difference.
Ok, I've taken you all the long way around the barn twice, but I think I've worked it out.
I'm ok with people using this phrase because it does serve as a change in awareness. I see my role as one to softly suggest that taking a bit of time for contemplation about all kinds of things might make the passage easier. Maybe there are things to do so we don't have to get to that hill. Or if we do, then there are ways to bring in help so we can survive.