I found myself with an extra few minutes today so I took my car to the car wash this morning. I love this car wash, they always do a great job! The first part is automated and then you drive into an inside bay where a team of 3 to 4 people wipe it down, clean the windows, the dash and vacuum the whole interior.
The automated part of the car wash got me to thinking about how this car wash is very much like our life. With purpose I drove my car to the car wash, when I arrived, to get it washed I had to position the front tire in a track, once positioned correctly I then placed the car in neutral and the automated car wash pulled my car through the car wash cycles while I sat back and listened to a CD. When the car wash was complete, I placed the car into gear and went on my way.
The car wash experience struck me in a couple of different ways. One, that in life there are times where we simply need to get in the groove, let go of the controls and allow ourselves to enjoy the ride, all the while trusting that everything will be as it should be in the end.
The other thought that came into my mind is that many people are in a perpetual automatic car wash mode, that is, they fully expect to sit back, not take any action and somehow everything will come to them. No effort required. They believe that some external source will provide for all their needs and that they are not in any way responsible to take action. These same people are also in a form of perpetual dissatisfaction with their life and blame everything and everyone else for their lot in life.
Like Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof, many people look to God and say things like “would it have hurt for you to make me a richer man?” indicating that they believe their fate in life is sealed by God.
Our fate is not sealed by God or any other source. We each have the ability, the power to create the reality that we desire to create. To do this, we must live a life of balance and know when to take action and when to let go of the reigns and trust in ourselves and the powers of the Universe that all will be as it should be. This is why is it critical to develop our awareness, for the more aware we become of what we are thinking and how that thinking is creating our reality, the more we know when it is time to take action and when it is time to release the controls, sit back and let the Universe do it’s magic.
One of the keys to remember about this is that this is not linear thinking, what I mean is that it’s not like there are distinct time frames where you are in one mode or the other, much of what I describe happen all within the same day, the same hour, even simultaneously.
Achieving this awareness will help you to create a balance and help you to understand and appreciate your role in this Universe.
I suggest that you meditate on the following questions, trust that the answers will come to you.
Are you taking action where you should be?
Are you letting go when you should be?
Posted by Greenwoman2007 on November 10, 2007 at 2:15 am
Those are excellent questions….and this is a really terrific post. I deeply appreciate the reminders you always offer me.
Blessing you dear one.
Posted by C.L. Mareydt on November 10, 2007 at 4:16 am
… have you ever come to a point in life where you find out that the best laid plans, have failed? perhaps it is in those times we actually see how little control we possess. then there are the moments that are so perfect, so beyond our powers again, that we know we had nothing to do with it except, be there.
interesting article … like once quoted to be by a mind far superior than mine … “you can’t fool the universe”.
Posted by whig on November 10, 2007 at 4:55 am
We sow what we reap and we reap what we sow, the past and the future are contained within the present, what we plant today we may harvest yesterday, what we harvest today we may plant tomorrow. There is no free ride.
Posted by Paul Sunstone on November 10, 2007 at 8:32 am
A beautiful post! I think your point that taking action and letting go must be entwined for balanced living is both substantially correct and very insightful.
I’m liking your blog quite a bit!
Posted by enreal on November 10, 2007 at 9:15 am
The correlations between the ordinary and extraordinary are amazing…A car wash and life, and it makes perfect sense. I guess you need a special gift and a special eye. Thanks ToBeMe…Again I am in thought…
Posted by Matthew on November 10, 2007 at 10:12 am
Mark,
A very interesting post… I can see the connection between the automation of the car wash and simply letting go and handing it to God.
Now the next time I go to the car wash, my mind will be working overtime….:-)
Posted by Maithri on November 10, 2007 at 2:36 pm
A beautiful post Mark,
May you live all your days in the groove
Love, M
Posted by RubyShooZ on November 10, 2007 at 9:38 pm
Yay Mark. This is one question I didn’t have to think twice about – I know!! I can answer truthfully that YES – I ask myself those questions – meditate on them on a regular basis and know very well where I”m going – or at least what my intentions are.
I used to wonder, vascillate, obsess over and never have a clue. I now have a permanant berth on the cluetrain. (laughing here)
Much love to you today Mark. I’ve missed you muchly and care very much about you. I hope you’re having a beautiful peaceful day today.
Hey. one question. What do I have to do to be included on your blogroll? I belong, I know I do…. (more smiling)
Peace today and love to all.
~ RS ~
Posted by writerchick on November 10, 2007 at 10:06 pm
Hey Mark,
I’m afraid I’m one of those who doesn’t let go. I am action oriented and often find myself at odds when things happened that I can’t control. Eventually, I settle down and try to roll with the punches – but I think I need to do tht more.
Annie
Posted by Rachel on November 10, 2007 at 11:52 pm
Balance is so crucial a component to the success of our personal and business life. My business agent once said to me” your very intimidating , you have such an agressive personality.” I didn’t see that as a very positve statement. but if one is not to believe inself who will? I try to listen more, to give that space to others,but at this time in my life I feel like the world is mine and all of it just waiting to be explored. Thanks for the food for thought…it might be an intense hunger for life or the lack of it that makes you crave to fill the voids.
Posted by Paul M Martin on November 11, 2007 at 12:31 am
Those two questions strike me as summing up a whole lot. Where we’re at in answering them at any period in our lives pretty much sums up how well we’re doing spiritually, it seems to me.
Posted by Loving Annie on November 11, 2007 at 3:06 am
Good Saturday afternoon Mark !
I definitely take action — but I don’t let go….
You are right about the automatic car wash thing – and I look at so much of that as being responsible and organized, that for the most part it is okay, as long as I realize all of it is CHOICES, and can be changed anytime I decide to take action…
Hugs,
Loving Annie
p.s. Left you a link on my ‘thank-you’s’ post today because you commented 8 time son my blog in the last month – I appreciate it !
Posted by Sue Ann Edwards on November 11, 2007 at 3:28 am
It’s twisted me again, Mark. Smiling. The one with a slanted view.
The reason, as {{Whig}} comments about it is important to Be in the Present, intimately in touch with ourselves, is because…
“Time” is our expereince of walking backwards into the Present.
And that’s all it is.
Blessings this day to you and yours.
Posted by motherwintermoon on November 11, 2007 at 3:42 am
Car wash, yeah! I LoVE the message of letting go and taking action appropriately and accordingly. Plus it reminded me of the theme song to the movie…double bonus!
Posted by Carla on November 11, 2007 at 5:40 am
Letting go is sometimes hard. It is something that I have been working hard at this past year. Sometimes we have to let go for new things to come into our life.
Posted by Liara Covert on November 11, 2007 at 3:15 pm
The idea of contemplating where to let go and when are certainly worthwhile questions. Some people reflect consciously or unconsciously and other people don’t reflect at all, they just live based on instinct.
Posted by Norea on November 11, 2007 at 8:34 pm
Just found your blog. Love your writing.
In martial arts there is a state called mizu no kokoro. It means to have ‘a spirit like water’, be a perfectly still pond, mirroring the amount of energy that comes to you. If someone throws a pebble, you ripple accordingly and then return to calm. You take appropriate action and then let go. Letting go means accepting those things you have no control over, choosing how you react to them and consequently feel about them. Letting go enables to you to give the right amount of energy to those things that you have control over, thus maximizing the effectiveness of your actions.
Posted by sibbia on November 12, 2007 at 3:37 am
Boy did I have some catching up to do! Just over a week of your articles and I”m filled with new ideas and motivation.
You do an excellent job with this blog Mark.
Posted by jennifer on November 12, 2007 at 7:06 pm
Hi Mark..
EXCELLENT!
Ohh I love this post!
The balance of taking action and letting go. It is as in life, the yin and the yang, the tides coming in and going out, the sun rising and setting.
You have inspired me to work toward a healthier balance!
Thank you Mark… as always!
Hugs,
Jen
Posted by tobeme on November 12, 2007 at 9:46 pm
Greenwoman,
Thank-you, glad you enjoyed my thoughts on this.
Posted by tobeme on November 12, 2007 at 9:49 pm
C.L.
True, we can’t fool the Universe. Wise words indeed.
I do believe that we have more contol than you think. I think the key to what you described is weather we are in alignment with our authentic self or not, that is are we operation from ego or spiritual center. This I believe is what determines what works out and what does not, rather than a pre-determined path or fate.
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. Hope to hear again from you.
Posted by tobeme on November 12, 2007 at 9:50 pm
Whig,
True time is an illusion and every thouhgt and action has an impact on our “now”. Thanks for your thoughts.
Posted by tobeme on November 12, 2007 at 9:51 pm
Paul,
Welcome! Glad you took time to share your thoughts. Hope to hear from you again.
True, it is about balance and awareness, with these two things in alignment, life becomes amazing!
Posted by tobeme on November 12, 2007 at 9:56 pm
Enreal,
I don’t think you need anything other than an increased awareness to see the correlation of the simple and amazing. We all have this ability. Thanks for your kind words and thoughts.
Posted by tobeme on November 12, 2007 at 9:59 pm
Matthew,
Always good to get a new perspective on the routine tasks of our day. Glad that you enjoyed. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Posted by tobeme on November 12, 2007 at 10:00 pm
Maithri,
THank-you for the blessing! May you live in love and peace, Feel groovy today!
Posted by tobeme on November 12, 2007 at 10:03 pm
Ruby,
It is wonderful that you are so aware and living so fully. Thank-you for all of the love that you send! My heart is full with your love. Glad to hear from you.
Not on my blog roll? Ugh! You should have been a long time ago. I will correct that today. My apologies.
Love and peace! Thanks for your thoughts.
Posted by tobeme on November 12, 2007 at 10:05 pm
Annie (W.C),
Rolling with the punches comes with an understanding that all is as it should be, that there is purpose in everything, even those things which we don’t agree with. Awareness is the first step, you are on your way.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Posted by tobeme on November 12, 2007 at 10:08 pm
Rachel,
It is about acheiving a distinct balance. Your intentions are great, be more open, listen better and allow for others to be, great start!
It is good to take care of yourself, as you said you must!
Peace and love. Thanks for your thoughts.
Posted by tobeme on November 12, 2007 at 10:10 pm
Paul,
Yes these questions can be used as a spiritual yardstick of sorts. Thanks for your thoughts.
Posted by tobeme on November 12, 2007 at 10:12 pm
Annie,
It is about achieving a balance and becoming aware of when to take action and when to let go. As Kenny Rogers sang “you have to know when to hold them, know when to fold them and know when to walk away.
Thanks for the thanks on you blog! You are a wonderful writer and thinker!
Posted by tobeme on November 12, 2007 at 10:13 pm
Sue Ann,
Agreed, it is all about living in the now, which is the only true time.
Thanks for your blessings.
May love and peace be all that is found in your heart.
Posted by tobeme on November 12, 2007 at 10:17 pm
Mother Wintermoon,
Thanks, now I have the Car Wash song playing in my head, ha!
Glad you enjoyed. Be in peace and love. Thanks for your thoughts.
Posted by tobeme on November 12, 2007 at 10:25 pm
Carla,
Letting go can be hard, however it is essential to our well being and growth. The key is to realize we never had that which we won’t let go of, therefore we are holding on to something we never really possesed. Kind of sensless to hold on to what we never possesed in the first place.
Thanks for your thoughts.
Posted by tobeme on November 12, 2007 at 11:02 pm
Liara,
I think very few people operate on pure instinct. I think most people sleepwalk through life while others are more aware. Thanks for your thoughts.
Posted by tobeme on November 12, 2007 at 11:06 pm
Norea,
I love the state called mizu no kokoro that you described. This is so very good. From what you describe it is like for like and then let go to be prepared for what comes next. I love the letting go part, not sure that I agree with like for like. Thanks for giving me this new information, teaching me something new.
Your thoughts are welcome here. Glad that you found my writings and that you are enjoying them. Hope to hear again from you. Thanks for your thoughts.
Posted by tobeme on November 12, 2007 at 11:07 pm
Sibbia,
I am so glad that you find value here. THank-you for your kind words and encouragement. Be in love and peace.
Posted by tobeme on November 12, 2007 at 11:08 pm
Jen,
I am humbled to have offered you this inspiration. Thank-you for your love and your kind words.
Hugs, love and peace!
Posted by Norea on November 13, 2007 at 4:55 pm
What I try to say is slightly different. It might be best explained by a buddhist parable. Two traveling monks meet a woman at a river crossing. The current is to strong for the woman to cross on her own. So the older monk puts the woman on his back and carries her across. On the other side he puts her down and they part ways. The two monks continue their journey.
At the end of the day, the older monk notices something is bothering the young monk, he asks, What’s on your mind? The young monk asks, Why did you carry that woman accross the river (as it is forbidden for a buddhist monk to touch a woman)? His answer is, Are you still carrying that woman, I left her on the river bank.
Posted by motherwintermoon on November 14, 2007 at 6:26 pm
I LoVe Norea’s parable!
Posted by rjlight on November 15, 2007 at 4:06 am
well, Mark, now I have “If I were a rich man” stuck in my head. I think I missed the point!