I like clarity and I like order. I think we all do to varying degrees. Sometimes, when life is overly chaotic, I will organize my room, garage, desk, yard, car, or something, to give me the “illusion” of control. In the past, I have even tried to direct people around me to give me the perception of order. Me directing others often makes those being directed uncomfortable and besides who wants to be told what to do? On top of that, I get frustrated because I don’t get exactly what I want; selfish, I know, there is a point here. When I get to that stage, I usually need to step back and “re-gage” what is going on for me.
Many moons ago I talked with someone about my “discomfort” (…more self-serving). The first couple of times we spoke, the individual listened and offered some ideas for me to consider. On the third visit, they sensed that I needed something more than suggestion and said the following:
“You like things neat and tidy, and the world is not neat and tidy.”
This is a very simple statement. I understand the direct. I have been told, “I have an astute awareness of the obvious.” Hmmm, I digress…. Anyway, for some the point of the statement is obvious, for me it was “watershed” moment (again not what I wanted to hear, but what I needed to hear).
Think of it as letting go of control, planning less, experiencing more now, being in the moment, being less of a dick, or embracing the individuality of a creative life. I have embraced “the world is not neat and tidy.” I am more at peace with the chaos; yes, I still have my moments and I cleaned up part of the garage before the new-year.
For me, life is not always obvious (yeah, news flash…), there is opportunity in the moment, and others have their own version of neat and tidy; neat and tidy has a place, but messy and disordered is fun too.
