Live your way into the answer.

“Love the question.  And slowly you will live your way into the answer.”  (Rilke)

I’m sure some of you are wondering, “What exactly does that mean?”  I know the first time I heard it, I didn’t understand it either. 

Rilke is teaching us to enjoy the ‘unknowns’ of life, rather than always seeking to have a definite answer about things….to have patience and be in the moment of ‘not knowing’.  And, by being fully present in the question (and loving that experience of ‘not knowing’), we can then slowly experience life, until at some point the answer becomes apparent.

The irony is that if we have truly loved each moment of the question, ultimately the answer becomes unimportant — because the journey has become more valuable to us than the destination.

And the most important aspect of this is the ability to have patience, so that you can truly be in the moment.  Without patience, you are always living for tomorrow.  With patience, you are able to enjoy today.

“The keys to patience are acceptance and faith.  Accept things as they are, and look realistically at the world around you. Have faith in yourself and in the direction you have chosen.”  (Ralph Marston)

So by accepting ‘what is’ and having faith in your internal GPS’ guidance (your inner knowing), you can adopt an attitude of patience.  Which means you can live peacefully in the moment.

© Ben Goode | Dreamstime.com

I’ve always thought the expression “patiently waiting” was an oxymoron.  If you are patient, then you’re not waiting.  If you’re waiting with anticipation, then you are not being patient.  So you get to choose:  will you be ‘patient’ or will you be ‘waiting’?

In my life experiences, I’ve been happier and more peaceful when I am patient, and I’ve been agitated and frustrated when I’ve been ‘waiting’.  And while this wasn’t a change that happened overnight, I was able to make the shift — and that’s why I know that YOU can too.

Be gentle with yourself and begin by simply noticing (without judgment) when you’re being impatient.  Remember to step into your Observer “I” role, so that you can impartially observe yourself. 

The more awareness you bring to your behavior, the quicker it will shift.  Most importantly, be patient with yourself while you’re learning to have more patience!

As you learn to love the questions (the ‘unknowns’) of life, you will find you are able to be more and more fully present in each moment, living peacefully in a state of patience and trust, and slowly living your way into the answer.

Have you experienced this?  Please share…

Send to Kindle