Living in an information age, it is easy to become overwhelmed by the
constant influx of scientific studies, breaking news, and even spiritual
revelations that fill our bookshelves, radio waves, and in-boxes. No
sooner have we decided what to eat or how to think about the universe
than a new study or book comes out confounding our well-researched
opinion. After a while, we may be tempted to dismiss or ignore new
information in the interest of stabilizing our point of view, and this
is understandable. Rather than closing down, we might try instead to
remain open by allowing our intuition to guide us.
For example, contradictory studies concerning foods that are good for
you and foods that are bad for you are plentiful. At a certain point,
though, we can feel for ourselves whether coffee or tomatoes are good
for us or not. The answer is different for each individual, and this is
something that a scientific study can't quite account for. All we can do
is take in the information and process it through our own systems of
understanding. In the end, only we can decide what information, ideas,
and concepts we will integrate. Remaining open allows us to continually
change and shift by checking in with ourselves as we learn new
information. It keeps us flexible and alert, and while it can feel a bit
like being thrown off balance all the time, this openness is essential
to the process of growth and expansion.
by Madisyn Taylor
Living in an information age, it is easy to become overwhelmed by the
constant influx of scientific studies, breaking news, and even spiritual
revelations that fill our bookshelves, radio waves, and in-boxes. No
sooner have we decided what to eat or how to think about the universe
than a new study or book comes out confounding our well-researched
opinion. After a while, we may be tempted to dismiss or ignore new
information in the interest of stabilizing our point of view, and this
is understandable. Rather than closing down, we might try instead to
remain open by allowing our intuition to guide us.
For example, contradictory studies concerning foods that are good for
you and foods that are bad for you are plentiful. At a certain point,
though, we can feel for ourselves whether coffee or tomatoes are good
for us or not. The answer is different for each individual, and this is
something that a scientific study can't quite account for. All we can do
is take in the information and process it through our own systems of
understanding. In the end, only we can decide what information, ideas,
and concepts we will integrate. Remaining open allows us to continually
change and shift by checking in with ourselves as we learn new
information. It keeps us flexible and alert, and while it can feel a bit
like being thrown off balance all the time, this openness is essential
to the process of growth and expansion.
Perhaps the key is realizing that we are not going to finally get to
some stable place of having it all figured out. Throughout our lives we
will go through the processes of opening to new information, integrating
it, and stabilizing our worldview. No sooner will we have reached some
kind of stability than it will be time to open again to new information,
which is inherently destabilizing. If we see ourselves as surfers
riding the incoming waves of information and inspiration, always open
and willing to attune ourselves to the next shift, we will see how
blessed we are to have this opportunity to play on the waves and, most
of all, to enjoy the ride.
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Perhaps the key is realizing that we are not going to finally get to
some stable place of having it all figured out. Throughout our lives we
will go through the processes of opening to new information, integrating
it, and stabilizing our worldview. No sooner will we have reached some
kind of stability than it will be time to open again to new information,
which is inherently destabilizing. If we see ourselves as surfers
riding the incoming waves of information and inspiration, always open
and willing to attune ourselves to the next shift, we will see how
blessed we are to have this opportunity to play on the waves and, most
of all, to enjoy the ride