Daily Intention Setting: Day 13

January 13

“Today I will let things unfold in their own time.”

What an interesting concept. Wouldn’t you agree? It’s almost unthinkable in this day and age – mainly because we’ve become so impatient. LOL In today’s session Mark Epstein says that patience isn’t just “passive waiting”; it’s the ability to sit with ourselves and let life take “the time it needs”. He explains that suffering is what happens when what we want to change doesn’t change fast enough. He says that we feel pressure at the beginning of the new year to “change everything at once but transformation rarely happens on a deadline”. Change is something that usually happens over time. We try to force things to happen. Then we get frustrated because they’re not happening or they’re not happening fast enough. But when we let go of our control issues, then realize and accept that change will happen whenever it’s gosh darn good and ready, the better we feel. There’s an easiness about it.

I’ll admit that I’ve been incredibly impatient at times. My husband can attest that, when I (finally!) make a decision about something and my heart is set on it, I want it now. Not in a week or a month and certainly not years down the road. Now. I’ve gotten better about it over the years, but occasionally I catch myself getting impatient and as soon as I surrender to the fact that I don’t have nearly as much control over it as I thought or wanted (if at all!!!) I feel so much calmer and accepting of life’s timeline. In fact, I’ve come to adopt the motto “trust the process” of late and it’s helped me relax about some things and not be so uptight. I may have to remind myself of that several times a day, but eventually the message gets through and I chill out.

Anyway, Mark emphasizes that things happen, move, and do, etc., in their own time, whether we like it or not but he encourages us to just be a witness to it. We can’t control everything however we can control how we relate to it. Notice how we feel, what’s happening in our minds, the sensations in our bodies. Nothing else needs to happen right now, he tells us, just let it be.

Things will happen in their own time. We just need to loosen our grip and trust the process . . .

#31dayintentionsettingchallenge

#letlifeunfold

#trusttheprocess

The information provided on this website is intended for educational purposes only and is, in no way, a substitute for professional medical advice. The events, practices, and opinions discussed here are those of the author and should be treated as such. ALWAYS talk with your doctor about conditions, medications, and concerns you have about your health and work together to determine the best course of action for you.