‘Trying is only emphasizing the thing we know… let go of the wrong thing, and the right thing does itself.‘ F. M. Alexander
Me: Alright, Mr. Alexander, I will try. Oops. I mean, I will ‘let go of the wrong thing.’
FM: Yes, and the right thing does itself.
Me: ‘The right thing does itself‘? Does that mean do nothing?
FM: Well, yes, but it doesn’t mean that nothing will happen.
Me: Is this a zen koan? I’m confused.
FM: If you do what I did, you can discover what I discovered. Explore. Think. Apply thought to use.
(OK, then. Here’s an exploration: Sitting in my desk chair, I observe a thigh grip as I type this imaginary conversation between Mr. Alexander and myself. While quitting with the ‘grip,’ my feet seemingly move of their own accord, sliding back toward the chair legs, thereby relieving the thighs of their grip.)
Me: How was that, Mr. Alexander? Did I get it right?
FM: No. The right thing did itself, which is much different from getting it right. You did not do the right thing. You did not DO. Congratulations.
Dear Readers: Make of your daily life a laboratory, and play with all the possibilities for moving in new ways—-
Hmmm. It does seem like a koan, or perhaps wise words from Yoda. I thought about this quote in relation to writing. The wrong thing is the struggle, the worry, the judgment, all that stops us. If we release those, then the writing (pen to paper) flows? Could that be an example? I love make of your daily life a laboratory!
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Cheryl, I always enjoy your thoughtful responses! Your writing analogy is ‘spot on.’ And your garden photos gave me a delightful respite. Thank you——
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Thank you so much!
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