This morning, I found myself navigating one of those little modern inconveniences that somehow carry a bigger message.
I had planned
to schedule my social media posts ahead of time – one version for Instagram,
another for LinkedIn and Facebook. But then I discovered that Instagram doesn’t
allow direct scheduling if you’re creating an IG Story. It sounds simple
enough, but in that moment, something in me bristled as I thought, “We are
in the year 2025 – a time where practically everything is automated – an era of
technology. And here I am faced with an app that doesn’t allow for automatic
uploading. WT…!”
I could feel
the familiar wave of irritation rising – the urge to “bitch and moan” rather
than accept what is.
I felt the
pushback – the inner sigh, the quiet “Ugh, I don’t want to deal with this
right now.”
My body chimed in too: “I’m tired.”
And my inner child? He wanted to “pout.”
I’m mindful
that even our self-talk can easily slip into judgmental language – describing something
(or ourselves) as being “lazy,” “immature,” or “unproductive” – or even “pouty.”
But awareness is always the first step toward reframing.
Here we are again
– that familiar crossroad between pushing through and letting be.
So, I did
something I regularly advocate others do. I chose to pause. To listen. I gave
myself permission to “give in,” not from defeat, but from curiosity.
Was this
resistance, or was this my body’s wisdom asking for space to adjust? Actually,
it was both.
In my work –
and in life – this question shows up often. Whether it’s a client on the edge
of a breakthrough, a parent deciding between discipline and compassion, or a
leader balancing firmness with empathy – the perennial question remains: when
do we push, and when do we honor the pause?
I’ve come to
believe resistance isn’t always the enemy. Sometimes it’s an ally, whispering, “Wait
– something in you isn’t aligned yet.” The resistance, the echo, the voice within
isn’t saying “No. You cannot.” It’s simply suggesting: “Pause, breathe, then
decide.” That’s awareness; that’s conscious, intentional choosing.
The voice is
not necessarily telling you – go left or go right. It’s reminding you: it’s
your choice – take ownership. And this, really, is what the NOW Process
and Conscious Transformational Healing are all about.
Our body, our
inner voice, the echo: is our internal mechanism (our adaptive response)
helping us pause long enough to choose consciously rather than react
automatically.
And the key here is exactly that – to consciously choose. To remember we
have agency. There’s no right or wrong choice, only awareness in the moment.
Sometimes
rest is avoidance; other times it’s exactly what allows clarity to emerge. What
matters most is noticing that moment of choice – and honoring it without
judgment.
Today, that
choice meant stepping back, taking a breath, and allowing my system to catch up
with change.
Tomorrow, it might mean showing up despite the resistance.
Either way, I’ll keep listening more deeply – because even resistance, when noticed with kindness, will lead us home.
Note to self (additional note I should say):
A lot of the insights gathered here - comes from my most recent book Human Struggle With Change: When We Resist and How To Thrive. That's not to say they only appeared after writing that book. But it seems to me - with each book I write, and at times with each coversation I have with my clients (especially my clients), I gain greater clarity on my values, my beliefs, and my practices. These help shape and strengthen my life in so many ways. That's what I call "evolution."
Additional-additional note:
With reference to the picture at the start of this blog - it is generated by AI (perplexity). Quite fascinating. It was even able to give me an "interpretation" for the image (provided below):
This illustration represents "Resistance - and when to push and when to give in" through several symbolic elements:
At the center is a person standing at a crossroads, symbolizing a moment of decision where one must choose a course of action. This reflects the internal struggle of encountering resistance.
One path has a strong wind pushing back against the person, symbolizing resistance, obstacles, or challenges that may require strength, persistence, and pushing forward. The forceful wind visually communicates struggle and opposition.
The other path appears calm and open, illuminated by soft light, representing the option to give in, accept, or yield when resistance signals that persistence might be counterproductive or harmful. The peaceful light suggests relief and acceptance.
The person's contemplative expression embodies the inner discernment needed to decide when to push against resistance and when it is wiser to give in or retreat.
Overall, this visual metaphor captures the dynamic tension between resilience and surrender, inviting reflection on the wisdom of responding to resistance with either steadfastness or flexibility.
