New Perspectives
Recently, I’ve been pondering the art of letting go. It’s easier said than done, even when your cup is overflowing. Why does the ability to respond to our inner cries get buried under an endless list of external demands? You may ask yourself: am I still the pilot of my own ship, or has the daily momentum of life set my course? It's good to pause, even for a few moments of quiet reflection.
This raises the question: are we time-poor because we need more time or because we fill our time with too many things competing for attention? Do you ever stop to listen to your own wise person - that inner voice or intuition that guides you - and weigh the pros and cons of whether taking action could instead be an act of devotion to oneself?
A suggestion
To turn reflection into action, try this: take a piece of paper and write down one thing you could let go of today. It might be letting go of checking email late at night, or scrolling on your phone and always keeping it within reach. Or simply letting go of the pressure to be perfect or strong. As you write, let things go with honesty and lighten your load.
Just a few minutes can make a difference. Try taking a quiet moment to be still, placing your hands over your heart, and thinking of it as the centre of your wisdom. Take a few deep breaths, relax your shoulders, and let your mind take a short break from everything else.
Self examination
To connect more deeply with your wise self, here are a few points for self-examination. What is my wise person trying to tell me right now? When did I last listen to my inner voice? Is there a truth that I’m ignoring? Allow answers to arise naturally, without judgement. Tune in to your own guidance as part of a daily practice to build trust in your inner wisdom.
Devotion to oneself can take many gentle forms in daily life, like permitting yourself to rest when needed, saying no to someone who drains your energy, or simply taking time to do something that replenishes you. These small acts of self-care and self-respect can help you nurture your own well-being and strengthen your connection to your inner voice.
Small Shifts
Even though these actions seem small, they still take courage. Sometimes it’s about listening without trying to fix things, giving others space to find their own answers, or simply seeing things in a new way.
Solutions don’t always need to be big - they might be as simple as taking a new route home or sitting somewhere different. We’re all creatures of habit, but it helps to greet each new day. Try stepping outside to your garden or balcony and doing a short mindfulness exercise as you drink your tea. Notice the warmth of the mug, the rising steam, and the feeling of the tea as you swallow.
To Pause, means taking time and space to tune in and listen to your wise self; I call it your higher self. Set your ego aside and learn to hear the voice within.
"The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” Marcel Proust