Let’s look at ways to leverage patterns to our maximum benefit, specifically by identifying and controlling patterns, predicting patterns and balancing our perceptions of the past and of the future.
“Patterns cannot be weighed or measured. Patterns must be mapped.”
― Fritjof Capra, The Web of Life: A New Scientific Understanding of Living Systems
Correct mistakes by recognizing patterns. The “Law of Attraction” is a very oversimplified philosophy. If you “think” something, it will happen. It’s almost an overused cliché- consciousness is energy, and energy comes back to us. I prefer to say the “Law of Action.” Although our thoughts aren’t actions in and of themselves, thoughts do lead to actions, and there are consequences to all actions. So consciousness is the forerunner to energy and this energy impacts us later on down the line.
If your thoughts are misaligned, your outcomes will be unproductive, if not destructive. To make matters even worse, with a clouded mind, you will most likely be unable to even recognize, much less alter, damaging cycles. So you end up stuck in a rut, unable to escape bad routines. You have to keep a clear mind, free of stress and mind altering substances, to be able to see and break negative patterns. Psychologists call this “cognitive restructuring.” Call it what you will, negative patterns have to be recognized and broken, and an optimally functioning mind is essential to the process.
Patterns can be beautiful. They catch our eye. But we have to be discerning. Learn to distinguish the positive from the negative. Recognize patterns by making connections and by analyzing the outcomes. Decipher the lessons coded in the patterns. Tie negative events to negative and positive to positive. Looking at sets of similar repetitive events, were the outcomes much the same? Were they harmful? Beneficial? Or just simply wastes valuable time?
But remember that problems are also opportunities. They are not always random coincidences. Each event is an opportunity, and even bad outcomes serve a purpose- an opportunity to learn and make necessary adjustments. Use obstacles as a means of growth. Problems dissipate and new opportunities develop. As always, life responds with its cycles of ups and downs.
Become “psychic” by utilizing natural rhythms to your advantage. When we see certain themes in our lives, either in prosperity or despair, we assume that these cycles will continue. We’ve simply come to expect that history will repeat itself. This is why change is difficult. However, the only thing constant in life is change. Understand that as there are cycles and seasons in time and in nature and so are these repetitions in life’s events.
Whether formed by our own doing or through forces outside of individual control, patterns are consistent in that they always return. Their consistency tells us that whatever situation we are presently experiencing, those circumstances will change. And, although each pattern will present a different set of circumstances, the overall theme will very often remain the same. Analyze those overarching themes, and learn the nuances of those cycles.
Some people seem more intuitive than others because they’ve learned how to recognize upcoming trends and proactively make necessary adjustments. If you have a good idea of what lies ahead, you are then able to get best equipped for the most likely set of probabilities. By analyzing past trends, you know your potential, and you are able to match that potential to foreseen opportunities. You recognize your limitations and can fortify against possible setbacks.
It’s a process. One that requires flexibility and adaptability, along with constant reassessment. Be alert because it’s often hard to recognize a pattern when you’re in it. Pay attention to the subtleties and intricacies of life, and use this insight to make necessary changes. Let the past be a guide for mapping your future.
Put patterns into proper perspective with an inner & outer correspondence. Be mindful of the extremes. On one end of the spectrum you have the common sense types. They believe in tried and true methods and procedures and are not really interested in trying anything new. Afraid of change, they have become accustomed to the routine, like a hamster in a wheel, running constantly but never accomplishing real growth.
On the other hand, you have others who tend to pay more attention to the patterns and possibilities seen in the information received. They rely heavily on symbols and metaphors, are future-oriented and are good at seeing the big picture. But sometimes they spend so much time focusing on possibilities, they never actually do anything to turn their dreams into realities. They tend to see patterns in everything, often going overboard. Others may call them a conspiracy theorist or think they’re paranoid or superstitious.
Obviously, we shouldn’t pretend to be some sort of oracle. However, with proper balance, a knack for prognosticating can save a lot of heartache and make the future much more prosperous. A healthy form of insight comes from an inner awareness of outer life, specifically a calm awareness. In other words, you don’t jump at every event. Rather you quietly observe and slowly and incrementally enact plans accordingly. Do not take single events too seriously. Don’t allow one event to influence attitude or decision-making. Rather, ask yourself, does each single event create a pattern?
We can’t know the future. Instead, we strive to create a future script from a set of possibilities. We are all historians, or so we think. We love to share our experiences and what we’ve learned. We form our life scripts on our memories and interpretations of past events. It is through these experiences that we develop our stories and our perspectives of life.
From our perspective inside of the labyrinth, it seems we have more walls than open doorways. Patterns help us to see the big picture. Patterns affect us all, in both good and bad ways. They’re there. It’s up to us to make the connections and then set out to chart the next course.
Much like a riddle or a mystery to be solved, the labyrinth of life is full of roadblocks as well as opportunities. Despite dead ends, the key is about keeping momentum. You have to keep moving in order to make something happen. Even if you choose the wrong passageway, you’ve learned a lesson, you’ve ruled out that possibility.