Discerning what’s Important Now
“Should we go?”
“Let’s just do it, it’ll take 5 minutes”
Or so we thought. First we had to go through security where the guy in front of us had obviously never seen a metal detector. Who walks through with a walkie-talkie in his pocket?
Anyway, after a lot of frustrated sighs and way longer in security than was necessary, we were in. We ignored every write up and rushed straight to the back where we were face to face with: The Liberty Bell.
We walked up, waited about 30 seconds, took our selfie and were out the side door in two minutes. No awe. No wonder. No amazement at this relic of our nation’s birth. As you can tell it wasn’t particularly captivating. (I was more impressed with Benjamin Franklin’s grave which is a short walk away)
And why would it be interesting? It never worked in the first place. The Liberty Bell was meant to be a great symbol, but there’s nothing intrinsically awe inspiring about it. We think it’s important because folks before us thought it was important. But is it really important now?
Is it important now?
It’s a good question to ask yourself about most anything in your life: Is it really important now?
Your yoga practice… is it important now?
Going on the family vacation (where everyone yells at each other all week) … is it important now?
Spending time on your manuscript…. is it important now?
Giving all your best ideas to the higher ups…. Is it important now
Staying connected with family that doesn’t reciprocate…. is it important now?
Holding on to your grandmother’s salt shaker collection… is that important now?
Being well-liked because you’re always the nice girl….. is that important now?
Inherited Importance
Many of us are handed down views, traditions, and even heirlooms that have been important to the people before us. When things come your way it can feel like that you have to keep a tradition going even if you’ve forgotten what it’s about. Of that you need to hold onto a particular view just because it used to be important. The pressure not to change feels intense.
But when they doesn’t fit for you, holding on to old things, ideas or ways of being, can weigh you down. It can make you feel stuck and keep you from being your natural self.
Discernment
That’s where it’s so useful to discern what’s important now. Discernment is a very underrated but highly useful yogic skill. It’s all about weighing the options, making clear decisions, and moving from your core rather than your conditioning.
What’s cool about it is: you get to decide. What’s important now is based on what you love, what you value, your resources, your energy, your interests. And you are the keeper of all of that.
That means that rather than building a glass shrine to a dusty relic (that was never very interesting to begin with) you take the time to examine what’s important. By doing so, you free yourself from ancient baggage and get to put your energy where it’s most needed.
Ask your Body
A quick test for whether something is still important to you is to listen to your body. If you imagine letting go of it (whether it’s an object or an obligation) how does your body respond? Light, bright, free? …. then it’s probably less important than it used to be. Letting go feels good! But if your body feels sad, heavy, dull…. then likely it’s not time to let go. Your body always tells the truth, so do your best to listen without letting your mind get involved.
Note: Your mind is going to chime in with all the reasons it IS still important even if your body clearly disagrees. When in doubt, side with your body whenever possible. And be gentle with your mind as you slowly talk it into agreement with your body. (we can do this in coaching together)
Anyhow. The thing is, you’re always changing. You’re a different person from the people who came before you (your parents, teachers, colleagues, even your younger self). As you change, your priorities change. Trying to hold onto your old self and your old ways, will only slow down the next beautiful iteration of you from showing up.
Instead, it’s useful to acknowledge where you’ve come from while moving towards what’s important today.
Now
Wherever you’re stuck, whether if it’s with house clutter, your creativity, your practices, or even what to make for dinner…step back and notice what you’re making important about it.
Then ask: Is that really important now? Ask your body what it thinks and follow when it answers. I think you’ll feel a lot lighter and more in love with your life the more you align with what’s important now.
Look, kids!! The Liberty Bell