Shopping for groceries is not at the top of my list of favorite things to do. I like to get in and get out as fast as I can and be done with it. It is a chore at best and my attitude reflects that. Before I was enlightened by the evolutionary teacher, Craig Hamilton, I thought that’s me. “No,” he said, “You choose it.”  

What? Are you saying I choose to be grumpy and withdrawn instead of cheerful and friendly? In my head, he affirmed that was true.

This morning, as I drove to the grocery store, I reflected on my grocery store attitude. I realized my default position for grocery shopping was the narrow viewpoint of my ego/small self.  I don’t know about your small self but mine when allowed to express complains, contracts, hurries and top of the list, speaks to no one. And when spoken to is not that friendly.

But that is not who I am. That is not who I want to be. As Craig illuminated, that is an attitude I am choosing. Blink, blink! Lightblub moment here. That is my grandmother’s attitude! Not mine! By not consciously choosing a more expanded view, I default to the small minded, contracted view of my grandmother, better known as the ego/small self viewpoint. Craig’s name for the expanded viewpoint beyond the egos is the evolutionary self. This aspect of me sees the world very differently from my limited ego aspect. It views grocery shopping as a fun adventure and like a child is willing to talk to anyone.

I parked my car and entered the grocery store consciously choosing to shop from the viewpoint of my evolutionary self. My attitude was more relaxed and not hurried. I flowed through the aisles tossing things into my basket taking time to thoughtfully look at items marked “new”. When I checked out, I bantered with the lady itemizing my items.

But the real test came when I entered the elevator with my basket. I wasn’t alone. There was a single lady struggling to find her keys lost in her huge purse. My ego self would not have said a word but my evolutionary self was eager to engage. My mouth opened and we conversed the length of one elevator ride.

As I walked to my car, I noticed I felt good about our exchange. It gave me a lift. I also realized the ride would have been in silence if I had not spoken first. An evolutionary attitude takes the lead. It’s not shy, nor hesitant, nor afraid. It steps up, opens up and evolves the situation in the direction of the good, the true and the beautiful. But I have to choose it. And before I can choose it, I have to remember that I have a choice. Otherwise I default to the ego viewpoint like everyone else. I like me and everyone else better when I am seeing the world through the eyes of my evolutionary self. What about you?

Until you return, fill your days with GIGGLES, JOY, and APPRECIATION!

Sylvia Silk, D.D. Director of the Institute For Balanced Living, Los Angeles,CA, USA
DoctorofDivinity, SpiritualCoach, ReconnectiveHealingPractitioner, Writer