The creation is a vast system of diverse, autonomous entities, with more or less will and purpose. All interact with each other, looking after their best chance for survival, or why not, thriving.
The figuring is a fuzzy calculation, inherited and reckoned, informed and guessed, given and taken. Chance emerges out of infinite parameters, among which the more prominent, more conscious ones are only smoke and mirrors. Beneath these, our history of sensations and experiences labels what works and doesn't, what is pleasant and isn't, what causes trouble and doesn't...
Those experiences are part of us, of our make up, our subconscious memory and strategies. We know without knowing.
Influence is those sensations, experiences, reckoning, everything that has made us feel, made us understand, learn and adapt to the world. It is not a specific event, it is the combination of our interactions, the sum total of how we make sense of the world.
In turn, the constance or trend of our being in the world influences our surroundings, which adapts to us minimally and gradually, as we do to our own surroundings.
The process of ever deeper growth and personal development unfolds gradually, in small touches so subtle and abundant we can't possibly know what makes a difference. It is what we let out of ourselves that influences others and invites real connections.
Then, among what we are exposed to, our choice of what we let in may or not bring us closer to authenticity. It is on us to decline engagement with what keeps us from our centre, our source.
The influence of others only has the power to sway us right & left & back & forth if we let it.
We don’t owe anything or anyone to embrace their point of view, or take on their advice. Respect is not obedience, it is consideration, acknowledgement of worth.
What others offer and weigh in can feed our purpose, help us find its contours and substance. It doesn’t need to dictate or define who we are and what we want.
Healthy influence means inspiration and an acceleration, not domination.
Mystery holds fascination, terror, fantasy, confusion and suspicion at least… With the best of intentions to cultivate patience, detachment, mindful presence and all kinds of openness, we still can use some help steering, or just listening to our heart.
Esoteric arts, oracles and interpretation of signs in nature work outside of the scope of reason, and therefore unreasonable to take literally, but they do strike an inner resonance, intuitive knowing of what’s right or true or guided, and not.
The process of accommodating, immersing, integrating and merging with other energies cannot be willed. It is an organic process, it happens over time, mostly imperceptibly, not necessarily slowly but without steering, focus or priorities. Wilful actions only create frictions and disappointment.
We don't quite choose who or what will imprint our memory, inspire us, open our eyes, connect us to the creation.
We do however choose - to a large extent - the situations we expose ourselves to. Our exploration of people, places and things is a readiness to be inspired, to make contact and see where the current passes.
And then still, we choose to let things in or not, to pursue a deeper connection or not.
Things change at all times. We don’t often know what to and when, but it is predictable that they will change.
As humans, we are tempted, or taught, to dread change, to see it as a threat we must prepare for.
But change is also an opportunity, it gives all a chance, a window, a more favourable set of circumstances to endeavour something.
When we go through life welcoming what ‘this situation’ offers, we can’t go wrong.
Our ideas, conceptions, assets, are given us much more than we have, make, or acquire them - even if the fruit of intense labour; the opportunity and skills are gifts from life to us.
Influence requires us to understand that what we have has a lot to do with chance, forces at play underneath the surface that have brought us here and now, available to become the recipient of a cosmic task to create or carry a message.
We were taught, inspired, prompted. Failing to acknowledge that takes away our claims, our defences, and our ability to carry on.
Subtly Penetrating
The Gentle (the penetrating)
Adaptation
Penetration