Today’s Thursday Tidbits swirls around the unknown, where creativity and courage reside, and where we humans fear to tread with any kind of regular practice.
For me, it has been a week that has offered one unknown after another; new perspectives on the known is one way I consider them.
I am getting used to the experience of what I know, or thought I knew, becoming something else. Yet, it is challenging when the present offers an array of unexpected moments, one after another.
It is a lot to breathe in and out but breathe I do; so far, breathing is a constant known, or is it.
“Breathing is the fundamental unit of risk, the atom of inner courage that leads us into authentic living. With each breath, we practice opening, taking in, and releasing. Literally, the teacher is under our nose. When anxious, we simply have to remember to breathe” (Mark Nepo’s The Book of Awakening)
Yes, the teacher and I have been close this past week; perhaps you, too, have had such a week. Just about the time I was wondering how much more creativity I could appreciate in any moment, I came across a quote from David Deida:
“Right now, and in every now-moment, you are either closing or opening. You are either stressfully waiting for something-–more money, security, affection-–or you are living from your deep heart, opening as the entire moment, and giving what you most deeply desire to give, without waiting” (David Deida).
The quote opens a fascinating article by Gail Brenner, “The Wisdom of Forgetting Everything You Know.” It was just the kind of wisdom that allowed me some easy breaths so I am sharing an excerpt with you:
“Here is what not knowing looks like:
“You wake up on a weekend morning without any plans, and you let your day unfold.
“You stop saying the same unproductive statement to your partner and let yourself not know what will happen next.
“You sit and take a breath rather than propelling yourself forward into the next activity.
“You press pause on a habit without knowing what you will do or say next.
“You let your routine fall away so you can be guided by the natural flow of things.
“You let go of, `I have to…’ and let yourself rest for a moment.
”You tell yourself the truth about the motivation behind the things you do, and surrender to not knowing.
”You forget who you think you are. Instead of same old, same old, you show up fresh, new, and unencumbered.
”Just contemplating any of the examples on this list may make you gasp for air. How could you have no plans for a whole day or stop carrying out familiar routines?
“Center yourself in the wisdom of not knowing:
“You are aligned with the truth of things as they are.
“You open to the possibility of freedom from habits that are limiting and painful.
“You live in reality and not in your mind-constructed version of a false reality.
“You are here, alive, embodied, available.
“It is natural to be afraid to let go of the known. Remember that life wants you to live fully and to express yourself in beautiful and amazing ways. But you can’t know what they are” (“The Wisdom of Forgetting Everything You Know” at www. dailygood.org)
Thank you, Gail Brenner; I’ll take the unknown. As for breathing, here is Faith Hill:
Thursday Tidbits are weekly posts that offer choice bits of information to celebrate our oneness with one another through our unique perspectives. It is how we connect, how we have always connected but in the 21st century, the connection is immediately global.
KM Huber's Blog 
Hi Karen! Thank you for reminding me to just breathe and be as this has been a hectic time for me as well. Everything happens for a reason and I suppose, that is exactly why I clicked on this link today. We spend so much time wrestling with the concepts of staying on course and what we have to do, that it is very easy to forget that we are already exactly where we are supposed to be doing what needs to be done. Here’s to breathing my friend…
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I was so taken with Gail Brenner’s post at dailygood.org–it’s a site I think you would appreciate–it is cogent, kind, and so very human. Like you, I find myself drawn to certain links and rarely, am I disappointed. As for the two of us, we’ll work on remembering the teacher is right under our noses. Thanks, Stephanie!
Karen
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Hello Karen ~ I love Gail Brenner’s list! It is just what I am pointing to in my posts these days 🙂
Thanks for this!
Tomas
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Ah, Tomas! Indeed, Brenner’s list reminded me of your lovely posts that help me start my days. Thank you for them.
Karen
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Karen,
These Thursday Tidbits are becoming an Everyday Guru for me. I swear your posts tell me exactly what I need to hear, right when I need to hear it. I felt something was off this week, almost like a disturbance in the Force. I wanted to ask other bloggers if they felt the same thing, but I didn’t want to taint their reality. Now, I realize that I was a bit anxious about the unknown. Your post helps me embrace this Tao, listen to this teacher under my nose, and give without waiting. Thank you so much. {{{Hugs}}} Kozo
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My dear Kozo, “a disturbance in the Force” it seemed until I remembered to breathe, and all was still. I feel the same about your posts; it seems we are walking side-by-side these days. Thank you for that, dear friend.
Karen
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It’s definitely more enjoyable when I’m willing to allow life to simply be what it is, as opposed to demanding that it be different or that some kind of achievement or positive event arrive.
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It really is more enjoyable, Chris, as you say. I am demanding less these days and watching more. Great comment. Thanks!
Karen
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I love that first sentence too – all sorts of thoughts are stirred up by this. Should we fear the unknown or should we relish it? Should we try and know the unknown? The whole concept of knowledge and understanding is a fascinating one. In the moment knowledge is limited but a striving for more knowledge is always bound to be forward looking. I am torn.
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Thanks, Diana. Clearly, I am torn as well but not as much as I have been, which is a bit of a surprise, honestly. Yet, Brenner’s words, returned me to the unknown, where I seem to breathe better. As you say, it is fascinating.
Karen
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Can I double-like this?
“Today’s Thursday Tidbits swirl around the unknown, where creativity and courage reside, and where we humans fear to tread with any kind of regular practice.his?” Brilliant!
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I’m all for a double-like and double thank you, Deb! You’re always such a light.
Karen
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Great post Karen.
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Thanks much, Athena; glad you enjoyed it.
Karen
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