While the message Don’t Try – Do! may be more recently associated with my little green guru Yoda, it is also a lesson from the Tao Te Ching. It is also a lesson I have struggled with, although intellectually whole-heartedly support.
Setup (while tapping on the karate chop point): I have a tendency to say I’ll try things. I was taught that I should always be open to trying. That was supposed to help me find the courage to do things that I might think I could to. Unfortunately, saying I’m going to try seems to also set me up for failure at times. I am open to just doing things to whatever level or ability I can at that time and accepting the result – whatever it is. Even though I tend to think in terms of success and failure, I am open to learning a new way of being. Even though trying feels more comfortable to me than doing, I deeply and completely love and accept myself. Even though I am aware that this is a lesson I haven’t quite mastered in the past, I love and accept myself fully.
Eyebrow…The words I use may be holding me back
Side of Eye…It seems like saying that I’ll try something should be a good thing
Under the Eye…But that attitude may be limiting me in some ways
Under the Nose…When I say I’ll try, I instantly insert the possibility for failure in my life
Chin…I am open to learning a new way to choose the events of my life
Collarbone…I wonder how things could be different if I just do things instead of trying
Under the Arm…I choose to use words that open up possibilities
Top of Head…The attitude of trying can sometimes help me avoid commitment
Eyebrow…The attitude of trying can sometimes help me avoid responsibility
Side of Eye…The attitude of trying can sometimes help me avoid the possibility of failure
Under the Eye…Well — not really
Under the Nose…I am open to redefining failure
Chin…I am open to redefining responsibility
Collarbone…I am open to redefining commitment
Under the Arm…These are all constructs that I have previously accepted as real
Top of Head…Perhaps there is another way to view the world
Eyebrow…I am open to clarity
Side of Eye…I am open to being less tentative about things I choose to do
Under the Eye…I am open to doing
Under the Nose…When I wake up in the morning – I am doing
Chin…When I eat – I am doing
Collarbone…When I go to bed — I am doing
Under the Arm…In all that I face today – I want to do
Top of Head…Trying is in the past. Now I will do.