Notice Where You Are Going

simple shui tips

I mentioned last week I am reading Improv Wisdom…a book I highly recommend. Each chapter proposes a maxim — the book contains 13. The second maxim is Don't Prepare. In the author's words, "The habit of excessive planning impedes our ability to see what is actually in front of us."

*GULP*

She encourages us to move through our days by doing the following:

  • Drop the habit of thinking ahead.
  • Attend to what is happening right now.
  • Allow yourself to be surprised.
  • Resist the urge to "stockpile" ideas for the future.
  • Trust the imagination.
  • Welcome whatever floats in your mind.
  • Recognize fear as misplaced attention — focus on redirecting it.

You have NO idea how these suggestions leave me feeling. Less like a warm blanket being wrapped around me, and more like the chair I was about to sit in had been pulled out from underneath me. I mean, I am pretty much empty if I have none of these to structure my day. And then, with perfect Zen-like timing, I decided to watch The Buddha last night…having just set down my book. Within moments of the documentary, a commentator was saying, "Pay attention. PAY ATTENTION." To the faces in the room, to the drink in front of you, to the conversation you are having…to this exact, precise moment. Pay attention NOW.

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It was worth a look over the shoulder…because the timing was suspiciously serendipitous.

So, because of that little coincidence…and because the author begins her book singing praises about (what else?) The Artist's Way…I feel life is sending me (possibly you, too) a very subtle, but persistent, message. Whatever it is I am suppose to observe, I am going to keep my eyes wide open…and try to be less controlling and more adventurous. At least this week. As for this fear in my belly, I am on a quest to learn better how to let my "misplaced attention" go…