Dear Friends,
It’s that time of year when people start reflecting on the past year and making intentions for the new one.
However, it is easy to focus only on what we want to add, and not nearly as much on what we want to reduce or say no to.
“The first fundamental question is:
Where are you not saying no where there is a no that wants to be said?”
Gabor Mate responded to me at our last Wisdom 2.0.
He continued, “As long as you are not saying no, you will not find your calling. You will not have time to develop your interests.”
When we only say yes, we can miss something very essential in life: simplicity, ease, depth and spaciousness.
Especially in developed countries, our tendency is to add. Yet Lao Tse reminds us:
“To attain KNOWLEDGE, add things everyday. To attain WISDOM, remove things every day.”
So as we come to the new year, maybe it’s time to ask: What can we remove? What is taking our attention that does not serve us?
For example, people on average spend about 2 ½ hours a day on social media. Is that intentional? Or are we just getting duped by an algorithm? What else could we do with 2 ½ hours a day?
It has taken me a long time to learn what it means to say no, and I am still learning it.
A no with an open heart, with love, with clarity is so much better than a yes with hesitancy, fear, or obligation.
Either our energy is drawn to something or not … and if not, there does not always need to be an explanation.
Buddhism talks about wisdom and compassion as the two wings of a bird. One without the other does not work.
Yes and No could be the same. We can only truly fly when we have both capacities.
Blessings,
SOREN
The Power of Friendship
December donation-based series on freindship. Learn more HERE »»»
The Heart’s Path
A 10-Month Online Series focused on finding and following what is most alive for us. Learn More HERE »»»
Join us for an intro call today, 11/28 at 11am PST. Register for free HERE »»»
School of Following Life
A year-long in person program with Soren. Deadline to apply is November 30th. Learn more HERE »»»
Wisdom 2.0 2024
Our 15th year celebration exploring wisdom and technology! Please join us. Learn more HERE »»»
Really love this... Reflecting on all the times I said yes to things, that didn't align with what my heart felt.. In the working world where we are bombarded with new information and told to keep learning, keep accumulating knowledge or be left behind, this is a difficult one. i love this quote "To attain KNOWLEDGE, add things everyday. To attain WISDOM, remove things every day.”
giant yes to this brother - thank you for the reminder