Patterns surround us. Light patterns, colour patterns, patterns in nature, fingerprint patterns, mathematical patterns. Galileo stated that our Universe is a “grand book” written in the language of mathematics. So surely it comes as no surprise that we live our lives in continual patterns. Oh but it does, and for those of us with weak pattern recognition skills, life can be one big test!
It would be great if at the end of the day we could just download a report that spelled it all out for us, but would we read it? Probably not! It takes time for some of us to recognise old patterns that don’t serve us. Sometimes we see only a tiny piece of the pattern at a time. We make some adjustments based on what we’ve seen, but still find ourselves back in the same position. So we search a bit more, maybe repeat the same patterns some more , until at some point a light goes on and voila, we see the pattern! Others may never be so fortunate to see the patterns that don’t serve them. It takes a lot of soul searching, even admission that a big part of what isn’t working out is due to our own actions and reactions.
I am very grateful that I have recognised old patterns, old behaviours, old beliefs and have been able to let go of them. At times it felt that realisation slapped me square on the forehead. It made me laugh to discover the change required was so simple, as if it had been staring me in the face all along... and of course it had been. What I’ve learned along the way is to trust my inner voice completely and to never put intellect before intuition again. When things aren’t going the way I would like, I write about it...and then I see in plain sight the patterns begin to emerge.
The following is one of the most profound and simple teachings ever. I was fortunate to hear Dr Wayne Dyer tell this story in Melbourne last month at his I Am Light convention, just one week before he very sadly passed away. I encourage you to share it. It could just make all the difference to someone with very weak pattern recognition skills.
Many years ago actress and author Portia Nelson attended a life workshop where she and the other attendees were asked to write down the key elements of five chapters of their lives on separate pieces of card. One by one they stood and shared their stories of heartbreak, hardship, happiness, love, loss and achievements.
Then came Portia’s turn to share her story and this is what she wrote...
CHAPTER ONE.
I walk, down the street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I fall in. I am lost…I am helpless. It isn’t my fault. It takes forever to find a way out.
CHAPTER TWO I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I pretend I don’t see it. I fall in again. I can’t believe I am in the same place. But, it isn’t my fault or responsibility It still takes a long time to get out.
CHAPTER THREE
I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I see it there. I still fall in…it’s a habit. My eyes are open. I know where I am. It is my responsibility. I get out immediately.
CHAPTER FOUR I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I walk around it.
CHAPTER FIVE I walk down another street.