In a harmonious world, nothing needs to change; If no one is fighting for survival, prestige or love, the impetus to grow and create dissipates.
Wherever the cost of growth is higher than the cost of staying the same, the tendency is to take things as they are and plod along. Of course a sane mind will nevertheless seek steady betterment, while an insane mind will engage in battles that can't be won, towards worthless conquests, at tremendous cost, or for what is readily available.
Sometimes, whether or not disharmony reigns, embracing the status quo is the better option. It means trust in the law of nature; that things pass, that we are not the trigger of change, that if the disharmony is real, nature will correct it. Then a trend will shape itself, which we can join when time comes.
Choosing the status quo means we are not adding to the turmoil, rushing things that need their time, or projecting our narrow world views onto something too large to comprehend.
Of our own accord, we know too little to warrant confidence. Wisdom calls for prudence, for the patience to acquire enough perspective and perhaps, accept it’s not on us to change the course of events.
From here, we see that our own accord is not the point, joining the flow of life is.
We get unsettled and survival instincts kick in, urging us to run, step up or hide, but these are the inferior options; lonely and hostile.
Maybe the situation is grim, or maybe it’s too much work, maybe the grass looks greener on the other side, or maybe someone stronger looks good to follow, but are we really keen on letting go of the comforts of loyalty and belonging out of fear or rebellion?
Chances are, overcoming the storm will make the group stronger, and earn us some self-esteem.
We’re told we need to pick our battles, and that includes the timing for those we do pick.
When nothing is clear enough, not alternatives, not allies, not dangers, not resources, submitting buys time and perspective. It lowers vigilance in what threatens us, it gives us a rest, minimises our struggle until something better comes up.
It may be the solution, the lesser of evils, the least challenging path, if we’re not to hung up on freewill, we can use it to embrace. Or it may be the means to a better end.
When powerlessness dominates our senses, or we don’t feel equipped to tackle the task, or we don’t want to be the first one to whine, we let our selves grow accustomed to a dreadful state of affairs.
Acceptance is not submission, and going with the flow is not condoning the unfathomable. 'Letting things be' works if we are the craftsmen of our own misery.
If we are to loose ourselves, our values, our sense of justice, embracing the status quo equates cynicism, laziness or greed.
Reacting to our immediate circumstances can only be blind. Without inner search, steep perspective, wise consultation or a sense of trajectory, we simply don’t know what we are doing.
Acquiring distance, forming a theory, accessing our higher purpose all require time, but they guarantee comfortable absence of regret down the line.
Then we walk in confidence, however slowly or sideways. Instant gratification is overrated.
Sometimes, action is overrated. Letting things be is the right action, the respectful, readying, loving, accepting action.
It may not feel this way, it may feel like giving up, avoiding, lazy, and we may feel governed by doubt and impatience.
Yet, there are times when things need to unfold, when space is required, when circumstances are in the way and where the pause means rest rather than waste.
The block subsides, what makes the status quo hold, finally fiddles out or gets released.
When blocked, we tend to armour up, slow down, refrain, to minimise risk and sustain hardships. When that strategy wears out, and there is nothing more we can spare, our old structure starts to disintegrate.
It starts slow and small, but it starts here, at that moment when suddenly, there is grip for something new to hold, some light to come in.
Then connection, the distance between now and then, fades away.
Blocked
Standstill
Separating
Obstruction