It's funny how pervasive a certain pattern of thought can be if left unexamined.
When I am not practicing awareness, I can quickly fall into a pattern of thinking that this moment isn't it, and instead wait for some future, shinier, better moment to come along.
But have you ever been stuck in traffic and really wanted to trade places with the silver car 4 cars ahead of you in the right lane? If only I could be where that car is, I could relax. What happens when you get there? Don't you just pick out another car that seems to be much further along than you are now? Or, have you ever greeted a friend's promotion or raise with the thought that all your worries would disappear if only your own boss would be equally magnanimous and insightful as to recognize your true worth? Has a cousin's engagement ever made you long for the day you could escape relationship limbo & enter the promised land of the affianced?
Well, living one's life as a constant race to get to what's around the next corner, or anywhere other than exactly whee you are in this moment, is a bit like driving around with a backseat squirming with 5 year-olds enagaged in a full-on concert performance of "Are we there yet? Are We there yet? Are we there yet?" ect... etc... It sure doesn't make for a very pleasant ride...
At best, it can leave you with a splitting headache. It can also make you miss a turn-off, or in other words, distract you from the true path you should be following.
But a distraction like that can cause fender benders - little bumps on your journey that will cause a ripple effect of debris that will need to be sorted out, taking more time and energy away from the things you are passionate about.
So answer that impatient chatter thus: Yup. We're there. We have arrived. We're here. We are right where we are supposed to be. The moment is perfect. So enjoy the scenery!
When I am not practicing awareness, I can quickly fall into a pattern of thinking that this moment isn't it, and instead wait for some future, shinier, better moment to come along.
But have you ever been stuck in traffic and really wanted to trade places with the silver car 4 cars ahead of you in the right lane? If only I could be where that car is, I could relax. What happens when you get there? Don't you just pick out another car that seems to be much further along than you are now? Or, have you ever greeted a friend's promotion or raise with the thought that all your worries would disappear if only your own boss would be equally magnanimous and insightful as to recognize your true worth? Has a cousin's engagement ever made you long for the day you could escape relationship limbo & enter the promised land of the affianced?
Well, living one's life as a constant race to get to what's around the next corner, or anywhere other than exactly whee you are in this moment, is a bit like driving around with a backseat squirming with 5 year-olds enagaged in a full-on concert performance of "Are we there yet? Are We there yet? Are we there yet?" ect... etc... It sure doesn't make for a very pleasant ride...
At best, it can leave you with a splitting headache. It can also make you miss a turn-off, or in other words, distract you from the true path you should be following.
But a distraction like that can cause fender benders - little bumps on your journey that will cause a ripple effect of debris that will need to be sorted out, taking more time and energy away from the things you are passionate about.
So answer that impatient chatter thus: Yup. We're there. We have arrived. We're here. We are right where we are supposed to be. The moment is perfect. So enjoy the scenery!
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