Okay, so I’ve been messing around with this I Ching thing, specifically hexagram 17, which is called “Following” or “Sui.” It’s got this whole vibe of going with the flow, adapting, and being flexible. I figured, why not try to live it out for a bit and see what happens?
Getting Started
First off, I had to figure out what this hexagram actually meant. I read a bunch of stuff online and some of it was super confusing, full of ancient wisdom and whatnot. But I finally got the basic idea: It’s about adjusting to the situation, following the lead of others when it makes sense, and not being stubborn.
So, I decided to make a conscious effort to be more adaptable in my daily life. This wasn’t just about big decisions, but the little things too. Like, if my friend wanted to go to a movie I wasn’t super excited about, I’d just go with it instead of trying to convince them otherwise. Or if my wife asked me to help her clean up the garage, I’d do it without the usual sigh and eye-roll.
The Doing Part
I started small. There was this meeting at work, and usually, I’d be the one pushing my ideas hard. But this time, I just sat back, listened to what everyone else had to say, and tried to find the best parts of their plans. I went with the flow of the discussion, kind of like a leaf on a stream. You know, not fighting the current, but seeing where it takes you.
Then there was this whole situation with my neighbor. We’d been having this ongoing debate about where the property line was. It was getting kind of tense. But remembering the whole “Following” idea, I just decided to let it go. I mean, it wasn’t that big of a deal in the grand scheme of things. I just agreed with what he said and offered to plant a few bushes as a sort of buffer zone.
Things I Noticed
- Less Stress: Honestly, it was kind of a relief not having to always be the one in control or fighting for my way. It felt like a weight off my shoulders.
- Better Relationships: People seemed to appreciate me being more agreeable and flexible. Like, my wife was super happy when I helped her without complaining, and my co-workers seemed more open to my ideas when I wasn’t so pushy.
- New Experiences: By going along with things I wouldn’t normally choose, I ended up doing some cool stuff that I wouldn’t have experienced otherwise. I even had a go at this weird dance style my friend was learning, and it actually is fun.
Wrapping it up
It’s not like I’m going to be a total pushover now. It’s more like I learned the value of picking my battles and not sweating the small stuff. Sometimes, it’s better to just go with the flow and see where it takes you. You might be surprised at what you discover. It is a bit of a change, but I think I am going to keep going with this and see how it works in the long run. Maybe I will get back to you all in a bit about what happens next.
