There’s great intelligence in letting go and letting Life take over

The truth is that Life has always been flowing on its own.

I had an interesting conversation with someone the other day. She said that whenever she felt she could not solve a problem or deal with a Life situation, she felt frustrated, defeated and depressed. She knew she must let go, but her big question was – “If we are bestowed with intelligence, why should we let go? Isn’t human intelligence there, in the first place, to solve all the problems that we confront?”

This lady is merely articulating what many of us don’t – but we all experience similar situations.

Let me give you an elementary example. Some months ago, I was trying to make a film on Windows Movie Maker, trying to stitch together various video clips. I just couldn’t understand, on my own, how the clips could be made to play seamlessly. Somehow the self-help videos on YouTube or online support links were not very clear with the way to resolve the specific glitch I was facing. I was frustrated with my efforts. I had a problem. And I was insistent that I find the solution. Finally, I called a young friend who uses Windows Movie Maker often. And he gave me the lead to the solution in a nano-second.

So it is with Life. There are many Life situations when a human, logical approach will not work. I don’t want to go all over the place citing examples of such a situation – think MH 370 and think about why all the human powers – and intelligence – in the world have been incapable of locating this plane. So, I rest my case. You may have experienced this or may be faced with one just now. In all such cases, that you cannot solve, despite your best efforts, learn to let go.

Clearly, there are times in Life when nothing will go your way. There will be so much unsaid, so much unresolved. And it may just seem like everything is wrong about your Life. Every effort you make, each step you take, you will be stonewalled, tripped or pushed to a corner. The mind will invite you to despair. Decline that invitation artfully and let Life lead you. You get out of your own way!

Relax. Get yourself a cup of tea or grab a drink if you can. The mind is like a tennis-ball practice machine. It keeps spewing out worries and fears endlessly. These debilitating thoughts will tell you that you can and must solve the problems that face you just now. But what if you have already tried all that you can think up of. And failed. And the problems persist. The very thought that there’s no way forward may force you to allow your fears to take hold of you. Please don’t let them. Your fearing something is not going to take that something away. Life is to be faced. Not feared. So, let Life happen as it has been happening and as it is happening. These are times when accepting that there’s no choice is an intelligent choice in itself.  Exercise it.

When we try to solve some of our problems and don’t meet with much success, intelligence lies in letting go, letting Life take over, and getting out of our own way. The truth is that Life has always been flowing on its own. You and I have done precious little to make our lives happen. Getting out of your own way is not inaction. In fact, it is a more sensible action than to be perpetually frustrated and fearful! When you get out of your own way, you can see the way that Life has laid out for you clearly! And that way, always, takes you to where you must eventually arrive!