Princess Sassy Pants & Co.™

It’s okay to set the past down. When we do this, it always looks different than we expected because all expectations are based on past learning. It’s infinitely better than anything the past has taught us or that we’ve outlined in our plans! Don’t worry; you will have everything you need and more.

When we truly lay down the past, we are stepping into the unknown, and that can be a little scary, but what we find is never frightening; it’s here that we find everything we’ve been searching for. You don’t need anything from the past, and there’s no need to lay down a future plan for protection either. We don’t lose anything by doing this, however much it can seem like we will. It’s here that we find Everything.

So how do we do this? How do we lay the past down? There are many ways to practice this (and it is a practice). Here’s one way that I find helpful:

Sit comfortably for a few minutes, but not so comfortable that you slip into a snooze. Tell yourself that for the next few minutes, you’re going to lay down all thoughts of the past and future–all your worries and grudges, regrets and fears. Tell yourself that you can pick them all up again when you’re done, but for now, you’re going to just set them in a pile off to the side.

Sit now and just listen within. Thoughts of the past and future will come to mind as you do this, but just remind yourself again that you are setting these things down for the next few minutes.

You can even directly address whatever comes to thought, “I see you. It’s okay. I’m just going to set you in this pile for a few minutes. I can pick you back up later if I want to.”

You’re not trying to have no thoughts; you are trying to just quiet your mind so you become aware of your real thoughts. These thoughts are always thoughts of peace. The other thoughts are the clouds that would block this peace from your awareness.