For several years I’ve been cultivating an unfolding life, learning not to plan but to let things show up and simply shape them as they appear. I’ve put a lot of thought into things like a “no-plan plan” and I continue to see proof that allowing your life to simply unfold works.
Act only when the mood strikes
Recent evidence of the power of allowing life to unfold came in the form of some podcasts. Although I really like to do podcasts, for some reason I was putting off doing my weekly one. I actually thought I had recorded it but, when the deadline came, it turned out that I hadn’t.
And I couldn’t get in the mood to do it. The script was ready, it’s only a 15-minute podcast, but I simply wasn’t in the mood to record. So I didn’t.
However, the next day I was in the mood, the time was right, and I recorded two podcasts that were really, really good. My energy was high, I had added some good stories. They were the best podcasts I’d done up to then. All because the time was right, things were aligned and I had decided to wait.
Think about it until it’s time
I find that part of the unfolding process can be to mull over a thought for a while before acting. This can seemingly put things off a bit long, but when the time is right it all flows together.
Odd things kept collecting in my not-very-big kitchen. I didn’t have a place for some things and I had too much stuff. This semi-bugged me for a lot longer than I would have liked – until one evening, in about 15 minutes, I made huge strides in reorganizing everything. The decisions were easy, the plan was perfect. It simply unfolded in exactly the right manner.
What if there is a deadline and you live an unfolding life?
Sometimes you just let things go. I simply did not put out a podcast the week I couldn’t get aligned to do it. I’d made the decision to produce one podcast a week but, if I wished, I could change it for one week.
Sometimes you have to choose. You give up one thing in order to make room for another. That’s how life works anyway, but it’s definitely part of an unfolding life
Be patient and it will come
About the time I really needed a good philosophical conversation, one showed up. I didn’t know how much I needed it until it was over and I felt filled up again. Sometimes when something doesn’t appear right way, it’s because it’s waiting for something better to appear.
The Universe will surprise you
A member of the Deeper Song Community offered to proofread my work for me. That was a most awesome surprise. I needed it, as I’m not a good proofer. I’m an overview person. She saw a place to serve and offered.
Another member of the Deeper Song Community offered me strong technical encouragement and showers me with teaching videos and new places to connect.
Neither of those were consciously on a specific want list, but the Universe saw my need and provided it.
Trust the flow
Each day I open myself up to the flow of circumstances. I begin my day with meditation and Qi Gong and move immediately into something creative. I never know what that will be until I sit down and an idea pops up. I simply follow the nudge and write or create whatever emerges.
I listen to my body. It tells me when to take a break or go for a walk, or turn my attention to something else.
I trust the flow of opportunity, that I will select the right ideas to expand, that what I choose has meaning for others and that the suggestions and insights that come to me throughout the day are part of the tools I use to shape the circumstance of my life. In every moment. With every choice.
Letting your life unfold works. Begin anywhere and simply shape thing as they come.
To Sing a Deeper Song consider:
Unfolding an the Wu Wei of Not-Forcing
Unfolding an the Wu Wei of Not-Obstructing
Unfolding and the Wu Wei of Not-Interfering
Unfolding and the Big Bouder
10– What Will Change Because Of What You Are About To Do?
14- How Strong is the Foundation You Build On
How Not to Make Plans
