What does it mean to think “outside of the box?”

For me, it conjures up the notion of ideas that exist outside of my current reality or my present frame of reference; solutions to problems or challenges that must exist somewhere – just not in my present awareness.

As human beings, we are creatures of habit. We navigate our world in patterned ways – sometimes, known as auto-pilot. And with this comes the tendency to view situations and experiences in the same way over and over again.

These patterns of navigation can be helpful when we find direct routes to outcomes we are hoping to experience. We know the short-cut – we know the quickest way. So, we forge ahead on these paths towards a certain destination.

But, what happens when we are moving towards an unfamiliar destiny – a new reality – one that we have only yet experienced in our imaginations. At these times, our habitual patterns of navigation might be completely worthless to us.

We might try again and again to take the path we have always taken and then shake our heads in amazement when we end up where we have always ended up. This is especially frustrating when where we find ourselves is not where we want to be.

Forging a New Path

 Ending up in a new reality requires a different map – a willingness to go into uncharted territory. And that can be totally terrifying! It’s like walking forward with a blindfold on, but it is the only way.

Sometimes, what has always worked simply stops working.

“Wait a minute! This always worked before!” We stand there completely baffled at what has gone “wrong” in the situation. At times, circumstances change, dynamics shift, we evolve. And like it or not, we are pushed into new directions requiring new strategies.

“This is just the way I am.” That’s another great one that can stump us every single time. It is less about you being the way you are and more about you doing things the way you do them. It’s more about thinking the old thoughts – feeling the old feelings – believing the old beliefs. Who you are is a dynamic, ever-evolving being with unlimited capacity and potential for life.

All of these scenarios require “out of the box” approaches. It requires not only “out of the box” thinking it requires “out of the box” living.

Tight Quarters

Dwelling “inside the box” limits us to what we already know and who we have already been. It relegates us to living out pre-ordained experiences that may no longer hold appeal for us.

When we keep ourselves “inside the box” we see ourselves as limited – our capacity for growth and expansion is diluted and our creative spark becomes dimmed.

When we keep others “inside the box” we fail to see their growth and expansion. We fail to acknowledge their evolution and ultimately limit their potential and capacity…in our eyes. We expect to see certain outcomes – we expect specific responses – and even when they do something different, we miss it because we are only paying attention to what is familiar. We are gathering evidence for history repeating itself.

When we limit ourselves to “inside the box” thinking in situations and circumstances, we don’t allow new energy or perspectives to be considered. We stop taking into account that many variables may be different this time and we miss opportunities for fresh solutions to emerge.

Expanding the Space

 I know, I know – I make it sound so simple, right? Believe me, I am very aware of how challenging it can be to do things differently – to take a new and unfamiliar path or approach. So, how can we take a simple concept and actually make it easier?

Baby steps. Make one little tweak here and another one there. Move slowly with conscious awareness. Let yourself feel the process. Be there for yourself when you are afraid. Commit to growing faith in your ability and in the divine guidance and support that is available to you. Ask for help. Hold your own hand.

It takes a great deal of courage and a mountain of faith to do something that is “outside of the box” and it is so worth it. You will look back one day and giggle at what once seemed so insurmountable and scary and you will realize that your ability to trust yourself has deepened.

Let’s get started!

 

Is there someone or something that you can let out of the box? Maybe, it is you…

 

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