The Weight & Influence of the World

We've lived our lifetime intentionally consuming and unintentionally being exposed to immeasurable stimuli. From what we read, watch, listen to, and play, to whom we surround ourselves with, to what we've been told, how we've been treated, how we treat others, to what we witness as we go through our lives. All of these stimuli hold a metaphorical "weight", from which they deliver a comparable and respective impact on us (a verbal threat from a stranger would likely hold more weight than the sight of a pigeon passing by), whether we're consciously aware of them or not. Behind the scenes, each of these stimuli interacts with others, both related and unrelated, in unexplainable and unknowable ways, creating a myriad of alchemical creations within the unconscious mind. These creations can take root in any number of forms - from creative ideas, to beliefs, to insights, emotions, solutions, and more. These "things", along with our biology, make up who we are - each of us, unique.

As we take more opportunities (long or short) throughout the day to spend time checking in with ourselves and the present moment, we start to not only process more of the incoming stimuli in real time but also notice their effects on us with more immediacy. Rather than being oblivious to all but the "heaviest" of stimuli, or unsure why we're seemingly stuck with a negative feeling, we're able to notice the smaller, subtler objects within our minds and consider their impact on us. And as the process itself becomes more familiar over time, many people find increasing moments of peace and clarity, and that where there was once a stormy sea of neglected space, unknowingly being flooded by a relentless torrent, there is instead a much calmer lake or spring.

This is where the comical (pun intended) phrase "with great power comes great responsibility" kicks in. We can't be expected to do or know what we don't know. But once we become aware of something, we can then evaluate if we have the will and/or power to either accept or change that "something". Here, "power" refers to our ability to change something, whether directly or indirectly, and "will" refers to our desire to change something.

If something is outside of our direct and indirect control then we're best off accepting it as it is. We may not like it, but there is nothing we can do to change it. Similarly, if we don't have the will or desire to change something, whether intrinsically or extrinsically, then we tend to accept it as it is (at least for the time being), given that it probably isn't worth our current time or energy. But if we have the desire and the means to change something (whether directly or indirectly), we then are faced with the choice to pursue it or not. That can be seen as responsibility - our responsibility to do the things that will help bring a more desirable future for ourselves or others.

But taking action when we clearly know or can see the benefits (or the consequences of inaction) and have the bandwidth to do so is rarely the issue. What typically prevents us from doing the things we want or should be doing is being caught in a negative mental state (such as being overwhelmed, anxious, or depressed) or being spread too thin with things we need to do. In these states, we tend to either fail in recognizing their significance or benefit, or procrastinate, convincing ourselves that they can wait or that there will be time to do them later. And a common consequence when neglecting to take such actions, especially when neglected over and over again, are feelings of regret.

Many things are outside of our control. Many of us are under delusions (some of which of our own construction) that some of those many things are within our control. And so we waste energy trying to change what we can't, while neglecting to recognize many of the things that we can directly change.

So let's instead try and put our energy into the right kind of "more". More of the habits and things that matter. The more we reflect, the more clarity we tend to find around what is within our control, what we truly value and care about, and what some of the next steps for us to take could look like. The more you take inventory of and hold space for these things, the easier it becomes to feel aligned with what you're doing in the present and where you want to go in the future, and the more energy you have to make the difficult choices that will lead you towards the more desirable future you are trying to attain.

Taking moments each day to slow down, breathe, and be present can help us not only reconnect with ourselves and what truly matters but also allow us to step back from the constant busyness to see and appreciate the beauty of the present moment.