Intentionally Blank
As we begin to adopt new lifestyles and embrace changes within our lives, we may find ourselves with newfound clarity within our space. When we begin to intentionally design our internal space we are often struck with a new found blankness of space. By removing all of our old habits and compulsions, we have a yard sale of sorts, leaving all our old internal furnishings behind. As we grow and develop authentically, we slowly replace what we have removed, but in the intermittent periods we are left with an intentionally barren living room. Intentional blankness is perhaps one of the most wonderful environments that we can exist in, at least temporarily. By being able to just be, not interrupted by thoughts of anxiety, or even any external cacophony, we are able to receive the bounty that is simplicity. There is such grace and beauty within simplicity, and the openness of space. We find great beauty in open spaces, uninterrupted by the modern proclivities. So too then, should we find great beauty within the wide own space in ourselves.
One of the great benefits of clearing internal space is that often we become unencumbered by thought. There are many times when thought serves us, bettering our process within our daily lives. There are also many other times, however, when we wish for thoughts to leave our mind completely. So then, what I mean by this is that we can become intentional with our thoughts and actions in such a way that if we are alert to our own process, we can become much more intentional about what thoughts pop into our heads and when. Most days I will walk through life with this silence, but there are others when chatter dominates my being. When I have these days, I try to take time to examine these thoughts and where they are coming from. If I don’t like them, I will literally say to myself, “Ok, I don’t like this thought, and I don't want to have it anymore.” By excercising this power over my mind, it becomes a conscious dominion of thought rather than an incorrigible dungeon of chatter.
This was a revelation when I first started adopting this practice, knowing that I could address my own line of thought in a way that I would with a waiter who had repeated my order incorrectly. By correcting myself, and reframing my understanding of my thoughts, I almost always end up with my steak just the way I like it. Over time, when practicing this level of self reinforcement, a level of accountability grows within us. By holding ourselves accountable for our thought processes we begin to see an alignment within our external lives, as the power of thought is incredibly impactful on our externalities. The more conscious we become within our own thoughts and emotions, the more conscious we become within our external activities. The two are inextricably linked. By becoming the masters of our own domains, we can intentionally be incredibly thoughtful, or create a blank canvas upon which a beautiful portrait can be drawn.
