“Always reach for the stars.”

USING YOUR POWER OF INTENTION TO EXPERIENCE YOURSELF ON MORE SOLID GROUND

When you’re trapped in quicksand, it’s best not to struggle.  The suction is too strong.  It is best not to panic.  That phrase “sinking feeling” comes to mind but it’s not funny to think about it.

When one’s life begins to feel restrictive, the analogous experience of being stuck in quicksand offers both parallels and hope.

First of all, in a real quicksand pit, just as an FYI, you can’t sink in over your head.  I researched this a bit and discovered that the human body is less dense than most quick sand so the deepest you can sink is about waist deep.  It’s not like TV or the movies where you go down fast and just your brown fedora is left floating on top of the goo.

Rescue is also not like the movies.  If you’re in good enough, you’ll suffer grave injuries if others attempt to just pull you out with brute force.  The suction (created by the viscous nature of the quicksand) will not allow it.  So, there’s no quick solution to quicksand when you’re really stuck.

In life, the same is true.  When we’re really stuck, we might be in a panic about getting in over our head.  What that actually means specifically varies with each person and the situation, but the panic is felt by all of us in these situations.

What to do?

The first thing to do is nothing.  Remember, you can’t get in “over your head”.

Next – breathe.  High blood pressure, a fast heart rate and the dizzying effects of too much adrenalin in your blood will not help.  Breathe slowly and with ease.  Know this can calm your body and clear your mind.  This is the best preparation for the work ahead.

Next – work slowly.  What you’re doing is displacing a thick, gooey mix of clay, sand and water.  Because it’s so thick, it needs a bit of time to rearrange itself into the spaces you create when you move your foot or leg.  So a slow and steady action will provide the best results.

Eventually, with ease and grace, you can begin to find yourself less deep in the goo and more onto solid ground.

Now of course, the depth of your sinking, the distance to more solid ground, and whether someone nearby can offer a bit of assistance are all important.  It could be you’re out in seconds.  It could be it takes longer.

The parallels to the quicksand dilemma and life problems, be they emotional, mental, financial … whatever, abound.  And the solutions do, too.

Let’s say your job is your quicksand, or a relationship.  Is worry, panic, frustration, guilt, shame, blame, or lack of any use?  (Are they ever of any use?)  So what shall we do?

First step – do nothing.  You’re already doing enough.  And now you’re noticing.  You’re noticing that where you are as a person (on the inside) is not matching and resonating with where you are on the outside (as an employee, partner).  Allow others to say you’re in “over your head” if they wish to.  Remember: okay, I may sink in waist deep, but I’m not going to be in over my head.  Instead of judgment, choose hope.

Next step – breathe.  Really – not kidding here.  Notice the difference between you and the life situation (i.e. quicksand).  They’re two different things.  Be with that noticing and breathe with it.  The situation is real.  It’s real goo.  You’re stuck in it.  It is what it is.  And you are who you are.  You’re not goo, and you’re not content to be goo-like.

Then – start taking your steps through the goo.  Be patient with yourself and you’ll find it becomes easier to be patient with others.  Place your intention on moving out of that situation.  Choose the path that seems like the best one, and begin the process of slowly moving onto less gooey ground.

When I was in school, I had a friend from India.  She shared a nice saying with me that her grandmother taught her:  “Always reach for the stars.  You may not catch one, but at least you won’t end up with a handful of mud.”

It’s always possible to experience density, goo, the feeling of being trapped.  It’s also always possible to choose our intentions, choose to be patient with ourselves, and choose to be mindful that all around us does not instantly change at our command.  Our response to this reality is the fundamental connection we have to our divine self.

I choose to experience the intention of reaching for the stars.