“And we’ll paint by numbers ’til something sticks,” Kids by Guy Chambers & Robert Williams
Not many of us nail it on the first try, beginner’s luck notwithstanding. We have to fake it ’til we make it. “If you stumble, make it part of the dance.” The Wisdom of Unicorns by Joules Taylor.
Does anyone, like N-E-1, like raheeeeeally know what they’re doing?, ’cause I sure don’t! I mean, there are areas of deeper knowledge, for sure, bordering on expertise, but truth be told, my experience is the only thing I like, know-know. And even that’s faulty, just like my sieve-like memory. “I talk myself in; I talk myself out…I get all worked up and let myself down,” Just Haven’t Met You Yet, Michael Buble.
“I know that I know nothing, because I can’t trust my brain,” Socrates
It is important not to let Ego get in our way. Like the little outfielder who calls out in anticipation: “I got it…I got it…I gooood it…ugh, I don’t got it.” We must question everything that doesn’t ring true. Who’s in-tune with their Spidey-sense? Can we turn down the volume through meditation, intense exercise, journaling, sitting in the woods, a noisy cafe (ironically), or choose-your-own-adventure-type-a-way, and really listen?
If you think you know, the Universe is coming for you. Not in a gotcha! kinda way, but more in a let’s-be-humble, my child, way. Take you down a few pegs. Nuttin’ poisonal, y’undastand. ‘natch.
That CEO who seeeeeems to have their schtuff all together? Nah, they’re picturing that mega-embarrassing moment from grade school that earned them that unrepeatable-in-polite-company moniker that still gives them chills & makes ’em queasy.
That artiste who takes the stage in all their finery? Thinking about tripping over two left feet.
The leader of the band? They’re thinking about the dying-cats-concert from middle school that their grandpa laughed so hard at he cried.
How? Why? Who? keeps going? Those who examine, those who question, those who live, that’s who.
If we “do the work” to get to know ourselves, like really, really, really get to know ourselves, Svadhyaya, this becomes easier, to be who we really are.
If we maintain our practices, Tapas, those Spiritual Disciplines, and don’t get distracted by squirrels seeing squirrels, this becomes easier, to be who we really are.
If we are Truthful, Satya-rich, this becomes easier, to be who we really are.
We still may need those numbers to paint by, but who cares? Keep your training wheels as long as ya need ’em, poodle, but not one second longer. Keep making forays, and mistakes in every category. That’s part of the fun. There’s no manual, and no one gets out alive. Enjoy by questioning. Be gneiss and don’t take it for granite.
If this resonated with you, feel free to comment below. Until our mats unfurl again, be well.
-M
Yoga by Meredith 