One Apple A Day #272
“Dare to let go of control”.
Another challenging invitation, Today.
I just realise that there is a fascinating paradox on my need to control.
I feel in control anytime I can predict what is going to happen, and possibly also how.
I used the verb “to feel” deliberately because, as we all experience at some point in our life, we are rarely in control of any situation. The only thing I can control is myself. I call it “being present”.
The verb “to control” comes from the Latin and it means to check something against (contra) a roll (rota), where the roll is the support with the expecting numbers. To control is to check reality against our expectations.
This means that part of our energy is used to check if things unfold as we expect.But our expectations are always about the future, something that doesn’t exist yet. As a result, we live our life focusing on what has yet to happen, and in doing so we forget to enjoy what is happening.
The need to be in control, take you away from the present moment and from yourself. And the paradox is that, in doing so, you undermine your ability to control the only thing you can control. Yourself, here and now.
I experienced this thing often riding my motorbike, in particular when things are happening fast. It is only when I let go of the need to be in control and become fully present in the moment, that I am able to ride faster and safer.