Afterward I saw that one of my friends had posted at 12:12 p.m.
Immediately, I thought: “I missed it! Once in a lifetime, it was 12:12 on 12/12/12*, and I wasn’t paying attention!”
Then I laughed. Because, you see, I had been paying attention. Close attention. To my breath. The means by which I stay alive.
Ever do this? Tell yourself that whatever you’re doing, or have been doing, is wrong?
Join the club. And here’s a way out of that trap. Why not reframe self-doubt as entertaining doubt, as questioning ourselves?
Sometimes it’s appropriate to ask.,“Is X a good idea, in fact?”Or, “Is Y in the best interest of my business (or career)?” “Will Z really help my customer?” “Am I spending too much time on this?” “Should I invest in that?”
Think about it. If we’re certain we’re right, at every moment, we’ve got blinders on. (It also makes us tiring company, but that’s another matter.)
So it’s not the questioning that’s problematic. It’s the assumption that whatever you do, it’s wrong. We don’t think that consciously, most of us. But it can be operating under the surface, nonetheless.
The way out? Give yourself the gift of attention, starting with your breath. Starting with this moment, which doesn’t have a fancy label—it’s just 2:01. But it has its own magic. Don't miss it.
*Also, if it makes you happy, 13:12 (as in 1:12 a.m.) on 12/13 also happens only once, and you don’t even have to go outside to see it.
©2012, 2013 Laynie Tzena.
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