You Did What You Did

This mini podcast is more about awareness than it is about responsibility, but both are necessary to make amends.

 Grasshopper Notes are the writings from America's Best Known Hypnotherapist John Morgan. His podcasts contain his most responded to essays and blog posts from the past two decades. 

Find the written versions of these podcasts on John's podcasting site: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1628038

"The Grasshopper" is the part of you that whispers pearls of wisdom that  seem to pop into your mind from out of the blue. John's essays and blog posts are his interpretations of these "Nips of Nectar." Others have labeled his writings as timeless wisdom. 

Most of the John's writings revolve around self improvement and self help. They address topics like:

• Mindfulness
• Peace of mind
• Creativity
• How to stay in the present moment
• Spirituality
• Behavior improvement

And stories that transform you to a wider sense of awareness that presents more options. And isn't that what we all want, more options? 

John uploads these podcasts on a regular basis. So check back often to hear these podcasts heard around the world. Who wants to be the next person to change? 

Make sure to order a copy of John's new book: WISDOM OF THE GRASSHOPPER – 21 Days to Creativity. These mini-meditations take you inside where all your creative resources live. And you'll come out not only refreshed but recommitted to creating your future. 

It's only $16.95 and available at BLURB.COM at the link below. https://www.blurb.com/b/10239673-wisd...

Also, download John's FREE book INTER RUPTION: The Magic Key To Lasting Change. It's available at John's website  https://GrasshopperNotes.com

Transcript

You Did What You Did

Have you ever noticed how quickly we explain away something we did?

We have a reason. An excuse. Someone else to blame.

It's almost automatic.

Taking responsibility for our actions seems to be getting harder and harder.

But this isn't really about blame. It's about awareness.

I'm about to say something that may sound completely backwards.

You did the best you could do.

Yep . . . that's exactly what I said.

I can almost hear the objections already.

"But I knew better."

Did you?

Here's the rest of that sentence:

You did the best you could do with the level of awareness you had at that moment.

Think about that.

If you lashed out at someone, that was the best you could do with the awareness you had during that outburst.

If your awareness had been greater, your behavior would've been different.

Now, that's not a free pass.

You're still responsible for what you did, and you're still responsible for the consequences.

That's why I don't buy the phrase, "If I had it to do over again . . ."

That's an illusion. You can't.

You did what you did.

There are no do-overs.

There are only wake-up calls.

The closest thing to a do-over is making amends.

See, we've been conditioned to claim credit for our successes while distancing ourselves from our mistakes.

But awareness says something different.

"I did that."

Not because I'm proud of it . . .

. . . but because it was mine.

And once I own it, I can learn from it.

"You did the best you could" isn't a defense.

It's a mirror.

It shows you exactly where your awareness was at the time – and it invites you to raise it.

No endless guilt.

No excuses.

Just responsibility.

Oddly enough, that's where relief begins.

It's like taking off a backpack you've been carrying for years.

So if you'd like to lighten your load . . . Accept the reality that you did what you did.

Then make amends where you can . . .

. . . and let greater awareness write the next chapter.

All the best,

John