We have to be willing to give it all up.

How we think it’s supposed to look. How we think it’s supposed be.

And instead, continuously come back to how it feels.

I often get asked how I get myself into particular situations, or experience such depth in conversation with strangers on a regular basis.

I’ve always replied explaining that I have no idea. A while ago it just started to happen on a regular basis.

This morning was one of those life-review, self-reflection type of mornings. I was evaluating many aspects of my life. From the things I want to do more of, less of, and some things that I need to completely let go of.

I strongly believe that the most potent and transformational practices, rituals and routines are that which we do every day.

As I sifted through my daily routines, I had one of those glorious aha light bulb moments.

Something I do on a regular basis when I wake up, after I spend a little time in meditation or prayer, is I end with this question:

What do I need to know for today?

But I don’t strive for an immediate answer.

I set the intention to heighten the quality of my listening in my inner and outer world.

I bask in that space between the thoughts, between the breath—honoring that space of openness and receptivity.

By doing so, as I go throughout my day and experience the plethora of moments bound to unfold, I am in a state of listening.

From the moments when things feel like they’re going wrong, an uncomfortable situation arises, or a stranger approaches me with a message.

I am in a state of what do I need to know?

What can I learn?

What are the teachings embedded within this experience?

And without trying to logically understand and consciously pick apart what’s happening at the moment…

I trust that the power of intention to learn and allow what I need to know to be absorbed. For it to permeate throughout every cell of being and wash over me as a teaching and a deep inner knowing.

Trusting the resonance of truth to vibrate the strongest and communicate to me through a feeling that cannot quite be explained.

When we are willing to give it all up…

How our lives are supposed to look…

What we think we are supposed to be doing…

We shift into a space of openness and receptivity.

We can go about our days with more grace and ease.

We can trust the flow of this seemingly random and chaotic life experience.

And most importantly, we can trust what we know and what we feel to be true.

When we begin our days with this question…

When we come from a place of studentship and learning…

We are better able to understand, communicate and navigate through both our inner and outer world.

Relephant Read: 

Remember Who you Really Are.

Author: Alexa Torontow

Editor: Emily Bartran

Photo: @shawnraeyoga