back to center

Listen to peoples stories, and you'll find that they could all be entitled "Why I Cannot Be at Peace Now." The ego doesn't know that your only opportunity for being at peace is now.

Eckhart Tolle

This is such a great quote. It's a reminder to be conscious of what is coming out of your mouth. We tell our story without batting an eye. The story that we tell is the very thing that keeps us from living in the present moment. We have this need to be heard and have sympathy and we will do anything to get it. If you focus on what happened to you and why it was so horrible than you will continue to experience more discomfort. We think that agreement to our story will cure us. Unfortunately, it will only bring you more ammunition to remain bitter or angry.


So why do we do this? Why do we actually fight to remain stuck? Because we don't see it. Everyone is telling their story. Most of the time when we use the word "because" it is usually followed by a story of how or why we are not able to show up in a situation. The story is the thing we set up to explain our position. We can have lots of stories but usually the most prevalent ones or the ones from our childhood. We tell these stories to ourselves and others as if they have real relevance in our lives today. We use them to define us and to get empathy.


If I am telling my story then I am not living my life. This is the hard truth. There is a distinction between reminiscing and living in the past. Reminiscing can bring you joy in the moment or allow you to connect with someone from the past. But living in that moment as tho its life in the present is the trap. This is the illusion that engulfs our time and energy.

The now moment without ego is freedom, the now moment in ego is an endless story that you are so desperately trying to keep alive. Where do you live your life? What are you trying to convince yourself? What if you stopped telling your story? What would you do with the space?

I used to think I had to attain a certain level to then be fully expressed. I had to be something more or have a certain credential to prove my worth. I am really getting that it is already in me and the story I have been telling myself is based in fear of failing. My story is falling away. I feel empowered to uncover more. I am grateful for this insight.