The simplest way to live

The common thing I’ve realized we tend to do when we begin to heal is learn so much about ourselves that we become very clear on what we do and do not like. This clarity can then start to limit our ability to experience and expand, making us inflexible to new opportunities for growth. And this is where we get it confused.

We know that change is the only constant, yet we treat our understanding of the self as something based solely on the version of us that first began healing at a specific moment in time. There is beauty in learning who we were when we went through those experiences, but we can easily become stuck trying to stay in that now accepted version of ourselves — the one who experienced that event — without moving on and continuing to grow. We might accept that version, but in doing so, we separate from the version of ourselves who is actually living and evolving in the present. It becomes a push-and-pull between how we transform, become, and evolve.

The beauty of the lessons in healing and in coming to understand who we are is that we eventually arrive at the simplest conclusions. We stop bringing so much doubt and confusion into what should and shouldn’t be as we come into deeper alignment with ourselves.

The simplest way to live is the way that aligns with you – no complications, confusion, or doubt – just trusting in the unfolding of things as you trust yourself to face them. And I find it funny how we tend to overcomplicate ourselves: trying to fit an image, restraining ourselves from doing certain things, or avoiding being a certain way because of fears and past experiences. Yet I still find myself overanalyzing at times, out of habit – wanting to meet expectations and thinking that things are not enough. Through this understanding, I’ve realized that feeling like you are enough does not mean you’ll become stagnant, that life will stop moving, or that you’ll lose motivation. It’s actually the opposite.

When we understand that the way we are and the way our life is is simply a reflection of who we are, we see that as long as change is the only constant, knowing we are enough as we are becomes an anchor. If we know we are enough at any given moment, even as everything around us is constantly changing, then the “enough” we are will always be sufficient to meet our needs.

If we choose to seek more or grow more in a certain area of life, it’s not because we are lacking, but because we are choosing to give more energy and importance to that area. We do this not through force, but through the understanding that what is now is enough, and it will eventually align with who we are – without force. When we use force, it becomes another form of restraint and limitation. We create a void within ourselves and convince ourselves that what is, is not enough. If we simplify this and put it in direct terms, our perception creates our reality. We can choose to follow the sense of sufficiency we already have – the part of us that knows our needs are met – and allow that to grow naturally by simply allowing, instead of forcing.

If we learn to trust and allow things to be as they are, there’s no reason to keep forcing outcomes or assuming we don’t have what we need. If we are breathing and still alive (and if you are reading this), then you are sufficient as you are, and you are fortunate to be here.

Z.