Favorite Things
Few things will put you back in the present moment like a taste of your favorite thing. For me, it is yummy avocado. But what to do when it seems that avocados are no longer in season?
I was confronted with just such a situation last week, when after a day of travel, I needed that creamy green oval of nutrition. As I wandered, searching, around the produce section of my supermarket, I finally spotted an end bin with about six sacks of sadly expired avocados. Among them was also a terminally hard green one, not likely ever to ripen.
Pausing briefly to mourn the passing of my avocado desire, I released attachment to it and opened myself to receive something else that would nourish me as much. I rounded the corner, and beheld a special display of organic black beans on sale (also on my list of favorite things) .
Such abundance is available when not attached to the specifics!
But to be unattached to the specifics, you have to get to know yourself and what you need in detail. From that self-knowledge, you can create a list of what best nourishes you. Memorize that list and use it when what you think you want is not available. In this case, limiting yourself to a list of what best serves you does not mean a loss of possibilities. It means being open enough to allow other options to flow in.
“Far from being negative, limitation creates a container that allows energy to build and gel into substance. To manifest, we must be willing to accept limitation.”
– Anodea Judith, Wheels of Life
Self-knowledge creates a certain level of specificity that allows us to manifest what is needed. When we are unclear with ourselves about what we need, we cannot produce or attract it – it has no specifications. As an example of being specific, I offer my own list of The Necessities of Life.
We are not limited in our ability to add to our lists as we get to know ourselves better. We can have it all, if we let go of the scarcity mentality that tells us we can´t.
What nourishes you may change over time, so it is important to keep the practices that encourage self-knowledge going even after it has served its initial purpose. Keep your lists updated. The practice is life and life is the journey. Following a path takes you to where you want to go.
And remember that the key to flow described in The Avocado Syndrome is self-mastery, which is enabled by self-knowledge.