I held my tongue the other day. Figuratively, at least.
See? It happens!
I kept myself in check until I got a grip on an almost overwhelming urge to be helpful. I didn’t end up saying anything. The non-beneficiary of my wisdom was someone (justifiably) freaking out over a tech catastrophe.
I know the feeling very, very well. Having managed websites and online services for many years, I’ve had more than my fair share of similar catastrophes. Some only impacted my business, while the worst also impacted my customers, who depended on me to make things work. So yes, I understand.
In fact, compared to my worst freakouts (with full-on cursing and tears), she was holding it together fine. But she was distressed and don’t like people being in distress when I know I have an answer.
I just realized it was an answer she probably wouldn’t have been interested in hearing. I saw no point in further aggravating her to make myself feel better.
Here’s the advice I didn’t give: Once you’ve done what you initially know how to do, the ONLY thing that ever helps is surrender.
Let it go for a while. Step back and distract yourself. Focus on something else and give the problem space.
You are not going to get any flashes of inspiration when you’re freaking out over “how bad” the situation is. It never, ever happens. You’re not going to make progress. You’re not going to fix it. If anything, you’ll make it worse. The voice of experience knows this.
When things feel like a mess and you have no idea what to do now, the best course is always to offer yourself some relief from the mess.
Whenever and however you can, step back and surrender what is to the current moment. Move your attention elsewhere for a while. Eventually you’ll get your inspiration on how to address the situation most productively. But that inspiration won’t come in the throes of panic. There’s too much static in the emotional waves for you to plug in and hear any answers.
Inspiration only shows up after you detach enough to clear the space for it. It can come quickly, but will take however long is required to clear your head. Nothing else works.
That approach is pretty much what I’m advising for next week. You can listen or not, but I’m doing my best to sell it!
Next Week in Tarot
The outlook this week is the Four of Cups–sage advice comes in the form of a very lush Ten of Pentacles from the rich and colorful deck, Tarot Illuminati.
The Four of Cups indicates we initially won’t see all our options. The most workable choice is close, but easy to miss. Obsessing over past failures, feeling sad and frustrated about what’s not working, keeps us from seeing what will work.
The Ten of Pentacles says to count blessings without equivocation. It’s easy to forget how many wins we have when we’re distressed. So be deliberate about acknowledging blessings–the abundance and the love on tap right now.
Now, this approach may strike some as an utter waste of time. We live in a world that values hard work above all else. If obstacles loom large, they may feel like a crisis. I’m not about to say whatever concerns you doesn’t matter. Just the opposite.
Maybe you feel short of blessings at the moment. I understand that. But no matter what situation we find ourselves in, there is something to be appreciated.
Stepping back, taking a breather and finding some way to feel blessed makes a huge difference. You’ll begin to relax almost immediately Your mind clears. As a result, you become more capable and efficient. It works the same way food or sleep does in terms of strengthening us. It doesn’t have to be a lot here. Just any little bit of appreciation you can seek and find will offer a sense of relief. You get there by appreciating and loving, whatever and however you can, big or small. That’s all you need to start the shift.
Once your mind quiets, answers can show up. And it does so much more, utterly tangible good than almost anyone realizes.
In shifting to an appreciative state, you’re opening doors to intuition and (divine) inspiration. THEN is when you’ll be able to see the glowing cup on offer in this card–the solution that seems like it’s appearing from nowhere but feels “just a little different” and somehow gives you a glimmer hope (before you start tearing it apart in your head, that is).
You can’t strongarm an incoming inspiration into being. You can, however, set yourself up to receive one. By giving yourself permission to stop suffering over problems, setting aside what’s not working and realizing how many good things you have right now, you clear the way to see the gift of solutions.
Whether or not this strikes you as feasible, what do you have to lose in giving it a try? Because if there’s even a chance I’m right here (and I AM), this little bit of advice can turn around even the most intractable situations very quickly.
Have you tried stepping back from problems to allow for solutions to appear?
If you need some help realigning, drop me a line to talk about a private consultation.
Appreciation opens a channel for inspiration.