Freedom From Should

I often find myself caught in shoulds. With diet, exercise, sleep, it feels like there’s always a better way. I’ve come to realize that when I say I should do something, I’m implying that I know what is best, but for some reason I’m unable to execute on it. Recently I’ve been considering that something different might be at play. I believe that maybe I am simply not convinced - I don’t yet have enough information to make the decision that I believe I should. 

Below is a one minute somatic meditation that can help you connect with your authentic desires. Feel free to return to this if/when you have time:

Take a second to identify a big should in your life (quitting smoking, exercising more, etc.). Take a deep breath and notice the physical experience of thinking about this. Perhaps you’ll feel excitement or stress, maybe feelings of anxiety or urgency. Now take another deep breath and bring to mind a decision that you make naturally. What is something you do out of love? Maybe a favorite hobby, or spending time with someone you care deeply about. Notice if your body feels different this time around. There may be a feeling of spaciousness and lightness in your chest. Your mind and body are likely aligned on this action or activity, so there is probably a sense of ease and harmony. In other words, you have enough information and are thoroughly convinced to partake. This action requires no discipline or forcing. No energy is used to make yourself do something that you don’t want to do. 

Our lives can flow like a river, actions moving like water effortlessly making its way around any stones or blockages. Here, no compromises are made, and no forcing occurs. Ease and flow are possible only when we’re free of the mind trying to make the body do something that it’s simply not sold on. 

Be patient, and trust that the things that you truly want can evolve organically, without internal conflict, and without forcing.