What if I didn’t try to convince anybody of anything? I have been thinking about this. As a matter of fact, I made it a thing over the course of the last several months…and it has been eye opening.

When I received an email from a family who wished to cancel their child’s enrollment at my dance studio, I wrote back with a kind “ok!” and offered sincere well wishes for the future. I didn’t ask why. I didn’t argue. I didn’t reply with an exhaustive list of my studio’s strengths, advantages, and benefits so they might stay. I just let it be. Ok!

When we suddenly had no electricity at the house the other day, I called the utility company’s automated number and followed the prompts to report the outage. The power was out ALL DAY. I couldn’t be particularly functional at home, so I fiddled around town. I didn’t call the company repeatedly. I didn’t attack the company on social media. I just let it be. Ok!

When I pulled up to order my favorite fall Starbucks drink (Chai Tea Latte with added Apple & a little Caramel), they were out of apple. I didn’t lose my mind. I didn’t go on social media and complain about how poorly stocked the new Starbucks is so far. I just let it be (and got Pumpkin added instead…so good!). Ok!

Y’all, it’s liberating. Just let it be. Just say “ok” to most everything, and move on with life. You know why? Natural consequences. That family who left my studio will either REALLY be glad they did and realize their kid LOVES soccer, or they will REALLY miss all our studio has to offer. With still no electricity at 5 pm, I was prepared to embark on a pretend camping adventure in our own house. Starbucks lack of apple syrup forced me to try something new, and I loved it. Good times.

I highly recommend the “let it be” approach. Answer with an “ok” and nothing else. Seriously, follow it up with nothing. Natural consequences are The Universe’s response to our collective decision making. Don’t attempt to change anything, prove a point, or sway someone’s thinking. Let what will come of the situation come.

I now judge less, blame less, and scowl less. People don’t stress me out, and I no longer absorb so much mischievous, bad energy. I am even less bothered that something is going not-so-well, and I am content moving right past it. It’s a work in progress, but I kind of like practicing.

I think I like peace more than I like getting what I want. I am willing to sacrifice some comfort to preserve my joy. I would rather let some relationships fizzle than square up and try to be right. I am inclined to evade stress more than I am inclined to argue a lot. I like to go to bed with a clean conscious and sleep soundly. Who knew “ok” was so great?!

So now I watch and listen to others. I observe people’s incessant complaining on social media. I watch how they berate the server when their food doesn’t come timely. I hear about how they scolded the referee at a little league game. It’s fascinating how people behave, and since I have become more aware of it, I have become more aware of myself. I don’t want to behave like that. I don’t want to have the angst, the stress, and the anger that I see radiating from those around me. I want good energy churning inside me and radiating outside me.

I think this is stuff you learn when you’re ready to learn it. I must not have been ready until now. That’s another thing I’m fascinated by…why don’t people learn?! Why don’t they change?! Why do they keep doing the same stupid, self-depricating things over and over?! When you learn the reason…that’s liberating, too…and a topic for an upcoming post maybe.

Make it a great day! Say “ok” like you ain’t never said “ok” before, Y’all. Follow that “ok” up with absolutely nothing, and just let it all be. Enjoy!

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