You've fallen into this trap ... right?

You go along to get along. Don't want to rock the boat! Just follow the path of least resistance ...

Then later - 

Sometimes much later, realize you made a mistake ...

Or, did you?

(Spiritual) Happiness - Hidden in Plain Sight

Imagine this ...

One scruffy-looking woman - whose car has problems of its own - singles you out. No matter you're at the dealership - minding your own business. No matter you're holed up in a fume-filled lounge - waiting for mechanics to finish your car's repairs.

She lunges into a monologue - without so much as a Hi or Good Morning. Sails into how bad kids are today; hates computers; her parents were strict ... rode a horse - when life was real - down a dirt road that's now a paved 4-lane highway -

The world is coming to an end ...

The world's going to h---

(You get the idea ... )

You try as best you can to interject a different point of view. Each time you do, she's just as quick to change the subject - until you finally get it.

Eighty-Something's have a reputation for being stuck in their ways. You're not in her neighborhood, but can see she never grew up. Never took a chance. Never risked exposing herself to a different way to be.

No Criticism Intended 

In the world-of-awakening - it's called ethical appraisal. You're neutral. No judgement. No blame. No opinion one way or the other ...

Just observing.

What Would You Do Differently?

You spent far too much time trying to get Little Old Scruffy Eighty-Something to open up - validate another part of life exists besides her own. Not to change her. Not for your personal acknowledgment as a human being - although, how welcome that would've been!

No -

You just wanted a two-way conversation. Human being to human being - like a genuine heartfelt connection is.

But -

She couldn't go there.

Lucky for you, you get a tickle in your throat. Excuse yourself. Get some fresh air to escape a stranger's brick wall.

But wait -

You want to wake-up a little bit more ... right?

So -

This One Less-Traveled Road Isn't Finished Yet ...

What no one tells you?

When a kerfuffle rankles your nerves: You're unnerved and tender at the same time!

And -

You have a choice.

If you push away - you get to keep the old story line:

Then tailspin into:

And, in the eyes of the everyday world ... You're. Justified!

On the other hand -

If you drift into the silence - tucked deep inside your tenderness - you'll reach a place, so far away, it whispers you awake:

Then watch yourself wake-up:

Acknowledge: She's doing the best she knows how - same as you.

Acknowledge: If she could do better, she would - same as you ...

Because -

Waking-up starts with you -

When you reach your deep down inside-place. Embrace its heartfelt longing. Bond in the silence beyond kerfuffle.

It's then you discover ...

Reaching out to Little Old Scruffy Eighty-Something was no mistake after all.

You're Not Finished Waking-Up Either! 

You want to be happy ... right?

You want to be alive and fully awake ... right?

Dare to set out on an expedition -

So you can -

Transform into a wiser ... more awakened ... happier you!

And -

Leave the world a little better than you find it.