Monday’s Meditation: On "Acting As If"

February 2, 2015

A fantastic quote from Dolly Parton leads off this post about the all too common and often confusing advise to "act as if."

When you’re striving for a goal or when you’re floundering, well meaning people are apt to advise you to “act as if.” This phrase, while true in its essence, can often feel more confusing than helpful.

“Act as if what?” You want to say.

“I’m supposed to pretend now?”

“I’m supposed to be fake?”

“Huh?”

A more helpful suggestion might be: figure out what kind of person you want to be. Then act like that kind of person would.

Doing so means you step just a centimeter outside of yourself, in order to choose with utmost intentionality how to react, behave, or proceed.

It means asking yourself questions like:

“How would a keen businessperson respond to this email?”

“What would a person of grace and compassion say to her ailing friend?”

“How would a person who Lives Simply handle that pile of clothes on the floor?”

In the end, it will still be you, through and through, since even the individuals or types of people whom you’re modeling your behavior after are merely your perceptions of them.

Whoever you want to be, whatever kind of person, choose purposefully, and realize that every word you speak, every email you send, every action you take is either you moving you closer to that self or taking you further away.

 

2 Comments

  1. David on February 2, 2015 at 8:07 am

    Just a centimeter is all it takes? I can manage that.

  2. Jenseeme on February 2, 2015 at 9:29 pm

    Thank you again for another beautiful Monday message! I’m currently reading a book by Neale Donald Walsch and he writes, “What you act as if you are, you become. Whatever you are being, you are creating.” Your words bring home the message of those quotes from the book. The centimeter that opens the door to awareness is what makes all the difference. I am curious what authors or teachers have most influenced and inspired you, Annie? Maybe you would be willing to write about that some day?! Have a great week!

Leave a Comment





Other Posts You May Love

2 Comments

  1. David on February 2, 2015 at 8:07 am

    Just a centimeter is all it takes? I can manage that.

  2. Jenseeme on February 2, 2015 at 9:29 pm

    Thank you again for another beautiful Monday message! I’m currently reading a book by Neale Donald Walsch and he writes, “What you act as if you are, you become. Whatever you are being, you are creating.” Your words bring home the message of those quotes from the book. The centimeter that opens the door to awareness is what makes all the difference. I am curious what authors or teachers have most influenced and inspired you, Annie? Maybe you would be willing to write about that some day?! Have a great week!

Leave a Comment





Welcome

Search The Blog

Simplify Your World

Sign up for the email list to get inspiration and simplified tips sent right to your inbox.

On Pinterest

pinterest-1
pinterest-3
pinterest-2
pinterest-4

Other Posts You May Love