On trusting things

A compendium for cultivating openness

Allowing

Of all the conflicting parenting advice my friend has been wading through as a first-time mum, what resonated with her most was this: trust your baby.

In essence, the advice was about allowing—and can be applied to so much in our lives. Sure, my friend was talking specifically about how she might jump at the first cry her baby makes after a nap, or the slight wobble from an attempted crawl. But we make similar jumps in so many parts of our lives—at work, in dating, with our plans and projects.

We hold things with a clenched fist only to crush them. We rush to fill space instead of allowing things to take their own shape. We hold on to broken things afraid that if we let go it will all fall apart, when maybe that’s precisely what needs to happen.

What would happen if we trusted? “The more I step back and allow some space,” my friend said, “the more confidence and self-awareness she has built herself.”

Maybe the same can be said for ourselves. Step back, allow, trust your baby.

Exp…