Worry and Freedom seem sometimes to be the complimentary issues in our lives. It can escape our attention that they are actually one thing, the extremes on a line. On one side there is worry, on the other side a personal feeling of openness and freedom. All along the middle are various gradations of possibility mixed with our own need to control our lives and what happens. If we have worry, and if we act from our thoughts that come from worry, then we will make decisions that are based on our fears. Is it possible to open up a little more, to allow for some “accidents” or happenings to occur that can bring unexpected joys?
One amazing aspect of yoga practice (of movement, meditation, and breath work (pranayama)) is that each aspect of the practice helps us to open our minds to the reality in front of us, and within us. We begin to separate our imagined worried from what is real. We can become more aware that we are spending 50% of our time replaying old stories or imagining future problems. We become more aware that the only reality we can actually act upon is what is in front of us right now, in the moment. We also find we are more creative as we begin to pay attention to the current situation more, and pay attention to the past and the future a little less.
As we become more practiced in bringing the mind home – back to the present, we realize that our own worries are oftentimes the only barrier to some new opportunities. We find we can allow for a little less control of our own, and a little more letting go allowing for the serendipity, or happy accidents, in life to approach us. We make a decision to go into a store on a whim and see a friend we haven’t seen in years. We refrain from asking someone to do something when we could, and that person opens up about a problem and lets us be better friends to them.
How can we let go of a little control? There are many ways. Take a moment and think of the ways you usually attempt to control your comfort or environment. Maybe you tend to give other people instructions a little more than necessary. May you express what you want more often than sharing what you appreciate? Maybe you leave others out when you go to do certain activities or when you are making decisions. Could you invite others into your life in new ways or say “yes” a little more often?
Today – see if you can invite a little “trouble.” By this I mean in some way – open up for others to take a little more part in your world. Whether it means you take a chance and share a problem with a friend when you normally would handle it alone, or it just means not telling the kids how to put the groceries away, take a small chance that you can let go a little, and invite the element of chance into your life. Taking this on as a practice can mean so much if you regularly practice this way of letting go. You may meet people you would never have otherwise, you may find you locate lost objects because you let someone else help you. You may find your relationships with loved ones become a little more open and sharing.
Take a moment to write one or two simple ways you can invite more of this letting go into your day, and even when you plan to use it. Smile, knowing unexpected changes are about to bring some joy. Remind yourself to allow for broken dishes, or misplaced toiletries. Those are such small problems that can be exchanged for friendship and joy.
As we all try to be a little more open and allowing, this creates a growing atmosphere of sharing, and giving. You are already becoming more a part of this more than you even know. As you offer this gift to those around you, they may in turn (and without even knowing it) begin to feel more openness in their own lives, and become able to share this gift with others.
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