I found out today was “Just Because” day and I immediately smiled, laughed and gave a nod to the universe for the gentle reminder and nudge of something I had written a while ago. Here goes…
I think we all have heard someone in our life whether passing by in conversation or during one of our own conversations say the words “Just in case”. You better grab your umbrella…just in case it rains. You better start taking vitamins…just in case so you don’t get sick. You better pack this in your suitcase…just in case you might need that 6th pair of jeans on a 3 day trip. What does it mean when we have woven into our everyday choices to live by “just in case”? Just in case what? Is this Ego’s way of still giving us the illusion that we have control of every situation in our life so we don’t truly let go and allow the moments to be what they are? I bet you can guess what happens when we don’t or even worse in the Ego’s mind, didn’t listen to the “just in case” dialog? Oh boy does Ego have a field day to point out everything we should blame our self for and maybe even blame others for because we didn’t listen to the warning signs and flashing lights that Ego so conveniently lit up especially for us. So, what do we usually do? We listen to the convincing mind chatter that we’ve probably heard before, many times so it’s very believable and convincing to make that turn to get off at Ego exit ramp #1 back to Ego Town handing our power back to Ego as we slow roll into our driveway and put it in park that appears to be oh so safe now.
What if we changed the thought from “Just in case” to “Just because”. Have you ever done something in the moment, maybe a random act of kindness and you did it “just because” you wanted to? Perhaps you planned something just because it would make you feel good to do it. Have you ever received something, a hug, flowers, a free cup of coffee, an unexpected call or visit just because someone was thinking about you? I bet when that happened it made you smile and felt good. Maybe there isn’t much difference in the these two phrases for you but I know they each carry a different energy for me.
Just in case for me is fear based. It is reactive and something we think we should do to try avoid or prevent something from happening. An unconscious habit or reactive response with the illusion we can control the outcome.
Just because for me is a conscious action made with presence from the heart in doing something because we want to. It is authentic and created from love with the power that lies within. We act because we want to, not because we think we have to out of fear or obligation.
How about this scenario…have you ever been to your doctor because you don’t feel well for whatever reason and they can’t determine what is wrong but you leave the office with a prescription or sometimes multiple medications you can take “just in case” that will clear up your illness and make you feel better? I have done that before and I left filling those prescriptions and thinking that should and would help. Did it always?…no. I have learned through my journey and awakening to the truth within that in those moments a part of me was expecting others to heal what I didn’t want to heal or look at within myself. I was looking outside of myself for the answer to make me feel better. I’m not saying we don’t need doctors and that we should stop going to the doctor. I believe traditional and complimentary alternative medicines are a wonderful resource. But, what if we started looking at our daily health of mind, body, spirit and what we are feeding it just because you care about yourself to see if you are making healthy choices to be well to begin with? When you are healthy from within, your body responds to that as well. That puts the power within you and takes away the power from Ego to react.
How do you use the phrase “just in case” in your life? What mindset and framework does that put your mind, body and spirit in? Maybe they are just words to you and it doesn’t matter to you one way or the other. That’s your journey and that’s perfect. If this made you curious at all to be more aware of not just these words but all of the words you are choosing to say, I would encourage you to listen, observe without judgment and pay attention to how it makes you feel in every sensation. Then reflect…are there things you could be choosing differently in your life just because you want to be in a different space?
Just maybe this one shift in presence, observation and feeling would help you remember that the true power lies within.
