Thursday, January 27, 2011

running on auto-pilot ~~~

The thing about running on auto-pilot is that there's a whole bunch of stuff you 'miss' and then, when other stuff results, you can't figure out why. For example: you get in your car to run this errand or that. You put the key in the ignition, fire up the engine, put the car in gear, and GO. Before you know it, you've reached your destination without even knowing how you got there. This is a prime example of running on auto-pilot. In this particular example, I've left out any mishaps or crashes that may occur as a result of your auto-piloting. Mostly because I don't think it's necessary to get into all that drama. Point is, you got from here to there without noticing one single thing. It's as if you were in some kind of time-warp. When this happens to me (not often anymore, thank the heavens!) it always gives me the creeps. Which is why I don't run on auto-pilot anymore. Just don't like the feeling. Also don't much care for the results (or lack thereof).

Here's the thing: this AP mode also applies to the thoughts we think on a regular basis. We're just too 'busy' to pay attention. We have so much to do. We have all this stuff that needs tending. We only have so many hours in a day. Etc., etc., ad nauseam. But the sad end of this stick is that if we're not paying attention to said thoughts, we are on a never-ending loop that never brings anything new into our lives. Like that movie, "Groundhog Day". Poor guy just kept living the same day over and over until he was about to go insane. Or maybe he did go insane. When he finally figured out what was happening, he also realized that it was some grand lesson he was meant to learn. He had to stop being the drone he was and pay attention. Once he got that, his endless loop stopped. He was a new man. He was 'reborn'.

Same goes with these continual thoughts we think without knowing we're thinking them. How in the world do you expect to change anything if you're thinking the same thoughts. Just ain't gonna happen. In order to make the changes in our lives we so desperately want, we must pay attention to what's going on in our little pea-brains. We must set intentions and stay focused. We must demand more from the gray matter between our ears. It's not about "earning" or "working for" or "deserving". It's about knowing, deep in your gut, that you ARE worthy. That you have already done all you need do to warrant these things you wish for. It's about paying close attention to the things that bring you joy and ignoring the things that annoy you. Because, in the end, it's not about erasing the "bad stuff". It's about creating the "good stuff". This is completely within your power, if only you will readjust your focus. Then, little by little (and sometimes in grand leaps) you will see the changes unfold as easily as a flower blossoms. No pain. No work. No aggravation. Just a gentle, easy unfolding that is as 'right' as rain. It isn't nearly as hard as you may think. And if you will be gentle with yourself, as you would with a child or a puppy or a treasured friendship, your world will blossom just like that flower.

I am NOT kidding.

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