I was reading this great article in O Magazine by Martha Beck called, "Lying Low" where she gave fantastic advice on what to do when you have done all you can do and nothing seems to be working. We have all been there. You have done everything right. You put your all into something. You threw the book at it. Yet you still are not getting the results you wanted. What do you do?
The minds first response is frustration. Then comes anger and depression followed by "What is wrong with me?" "What have I done to deserve this?" "Why does God hate me?" "Nothing ever goes my way!" "What am I doing wrong?"
Martha Beck states that humans are the only species that chooses to ignore the natural ebb and flow of life. She says, "We want the sun to shine all night, and when it doesn't, we create cities that never sleep. Seeking a continuous energetic and emotional high, we use everything from exciting parties to illegal chemicals."
Excitement is not sustainable. Have you ever seen a child get excited about a party or event, get burned out and then wind up a sobbing whining mess? Adults do the same thing. Being constantly stimulated burns out our mental and physical circuits and we can no longer function to the best of our ability. The low points in life are necessary.
Do Nothing When Nothing Works-T shirt Slogan
According to Martha, the ebb is natures que to rest. The frustration comes when we keep fighting what is. Through rest, we are rejuvenated and it creates space for new ideas to flow. If something is not working out but you are not quite sure what else to do, it is usually best to ride it out until you feel inspired to make a move. When you make your decision, it should feel good and be freeing.
