Receiving Versus Figuring Out

Posted to Facebook May 21st, 2021

We can probably all relate to times in the day when we are at a decision point.  Most are easy and habitual because we have been there before.  But then sometimes there are those decisions that are difficult and more challenging because they are new.  We catch ourselves being annoyed or impatient or worried trying to make a decision.  It might even keep us up at night as we run through all the possible scenarios.  We often turn to others because we become so muddled in our own heads.  And I get that, I've been there many times myself.  But what I have realized is none of that is LOP.  A LOP decision, which comes from the upper spiral, feels like receiving an idea/answer, while making a decision from the downward spiral feels like working hard at trying to figure something out.

So, lets talk more specifics.  A habitual decision, doing what we have always done before, is convenient and most likely easier.  And honestly, numerous decisions in our day can stay in the habitual zone.  But sometimes we are ready for a new decision, and when that time comes we may default to what we have always done before, even if it doesn't feel very good or isn't what we really want.  We may choose to go with what we have always done before because at least it will be done/taken care of/out of our way.  If a habitual decision is leaving you feeling flat and dissatisfied it is no longer to your benefit -- even if you are getting a short term pop of satisfaction from completing something.

Turning to others to help us make a decision can be helpful if they are on the upward spiral and we find it easy to get on the upward spiral when we are around them.  However, when we involve others it can be easy to get dragged off in the bushes and make someone else's perspective more important than our own.  Keeping the decision making process to ourselves can be easier in the long run until we become really solid and stable with it.

When we do pro and con lists (reasons why a decision is a good idea and a bad idea), whether it is an actual list on paper or when we turn something over and over in our minds, it is actually us going back and forth, back and forth.  Upward spiral, downward spiral, upward spiral, downward spiral.  That's referred to as 'splitting our energy', and it is usually what we are doing when we are feeling stuck in a rut, or torn.

However, when we say to ourselves, "I have a bright idea!" that could very well be an upward spiral idea that will lead you to the next step in making your upward spiral decision.  When we call something an 'AHA! moment' that could very well be the upward spiral answer you are looking for.  When you feel like a thought has come "out of the blue" that could very well be an upward spiral decision sneaking in when you weren't trying to work hard at figuring it out.  

You may have heard stories of how great inventions, music, or ideas have come to people while they worked in a patent office, spent time alone in nature, or had a shower.  Could this be because we are better able to receive upward spiral ideas/decisions when we are relaxed and open?  Whatever you call upward spiral ideas and decisions you will recognize them because they feel invigorating and rejuvenating which is very different from the exhaustion of trying to figure something out.

Being our genius self is receiving our genius self.