I Don’t Need To

This writing is Certified Human

“You always own the option of having no opinion.” — Marcus Aurelius

The Obstacle

Lots of things happen in our lives
Good
Bad
Indifferent.

Obstacles get in the way
Situations do not go as planned
People disappoint.

We become frustrated
Anxious
Angry
Impatient
Shameful
Guilty
Resentfull. 

We judge
Make assumptions
Have opinions
About everything and everyone. 

We sabotage our ability to be present
Connected
And happy
In exchange for judgment and opinions.

The Gift and Opportunity

We are not able to control most things in life
Most things in life don’t deserve or require our thoughts
Opinions
Judgments
Certainly not our actions.

Most things in life
We can just see for what they are
And simply let them go

There is no need to spend time
Energy
Resources
Attention
Or emotion on most things.

We can better our relationships
Free up energy for important things
And become more happy
By not needing to have an opinion
On everything.

The Practice Of Self Mastery

• Notice the judgment
• Decide if the thing needs our opinion
• Let things be what they are
• Redirect energy toward what matters

CHEAT CODE: NOTICE → SEPARATE → LET GO → REDIRECT

The Why

I used to be a judge of everything. Everywhere I’d go things could have been better if they were just a little different. The way I wanted them to be.

I would judge every person I’d see. Have an opinion about how they could do their jobs better, be smarter, stronger, faster. More disciplined, more capable. 

I spent a lot of time, energy, and attention wishing things were different than they were.From the time I woke up until I went to bed the narrative constantly ran.

I traded in my happiness for my anxiety and frustration wanting everything and everyone to be different. 

I realize now I need have to have an opinion on most things. I don’t have to judge situations for anything other than what they are. I can be happy with the way things are.

It’s just not necessary or a good use of my time and energy.