Many wise humans before me have used the philosophy of choosing to rise above our everyday expectations of life in general. After reading Unfu*k Yourself by Gary John Bishop, more times than I can count something finally clicked. Did he not pay attention the first 30 times reading it? Sure, but there is a lot to digest when you open yourself up to change and we all go at our own pace and do the work we need when we need it the most. After my accident, I know I know we will cover that shortly, the brain injury that I got put me in a place I have never been before and made me walk paths I haven’t had to encounter in my pre accident life. The brain is our best friend and our biggest enemy, so being able to manage your thoughts is key.
You are not your thoughts.
Yup, Quoting you again Gary, but it is very true and my thoughts during this process have been very dark and hurtful to my own progress. Being able to take charge forward and realizing that they are just simple little thoughts have helped tremendously. I bet you all can relate to the times where you’ve been so deep in thoughts that they eventually started to feel real, to you. Real as in, this is the truth, this is your truth in the moment, but guess what. They fooled you, played a little juvenile trick on ya. They are not real, they are simply just little thoughts that come and go and we can choose to entertain them, or not. Sounds easy but is harder than words can describe as I know you all know by now.
I expect nothing and accept everything.
Driving from Salt Lake City to San Diego the other day I had lots of time to ponder life’s biggest mysteries. Ok, not really just my own thoughts and how I view life. Convinced this is why I love driving long distances, it allows me to open up my mind and welcome in thoughts to come and go as they please while cruising down the open road. And open it is, if you have never driven around the US you may not be aware of how vast this country actually is. The wide plains, the endless stretches of highways and horizon more beautiful every time you glance at it. What made this trip different than the rest is that it clicked. It finally clicked and it is with excitement I can tell myself that removing expectations from myself will help see both my thoughts and the world differently.
I expect you to communicate the way I do.
I expect you to love me like I love you.
I expect you to like what I like.
I expect your reaction to be a certain way.
Why we have these expectations I do not know, but I am certain I am not alone. Expectations are good of course, but if I had to choose I would rather go without than with as it will simplify life, for me by a landslide. Being grateful for what the universe brings us allow us to have less stress in life and I sure don’t mind less of that evil thing.
Pondering these thoughts on my drive made me feel like I finally unlocked a new level of life, a life hack if you will. Perhaps I am late to the game of life and thoughts and most already have this realization, but that is also ok. My journey, my way because I am what I am and I do what I do. (Another wonderful quote I can relate to). Just be you man. (Woman). Be you, Do you, Your way. What should be in our life will come to our life and that is another realization I have had over the past few months.
When you let go you open yourself up to receive. You open yourself up to more abundance of everything. You open yourself up to new possibilities. Damn, that feels nice to say out loud.
Thoughts, ponders and life things are flowing much easier after releasing the stress of expectations within me. I highly recommend you to try it, or even reading the book by Gary. He is a great guy, never met him but would have a Fika with him in a heartbeat. Do you know Gary? Send him my invite and I bet he would enjoy the wonders of our Swedish little ritual.
As always, the journal I write is for me to keep. You being here is a bonus and I am grateful that you take time out of your day to follow along.
With gratitude,
-cb