I once heard someone say that the phrase ‘what if’ made them crazy. I was struck by the veracity of that comment mainly because it clearly troubled them and I hadn’t ever thought about it. I was surprised that I hadn’t because after all, the in The Tools of Sufficiency, I claim that ‘what is’ is a tool that keeps me grounded in sufficiency. Does ‘what if’ create scarcity? Where do I go emotionally, physically and spiritually when I spend time with my what ifs?

What if . . .

I had had more kids?

What if I had stayed in Massachusetts?

I went to a different university?

I won the lottery?

I chucked it all in and went to work for a large corporation?

I renovated my kitchen?

My kids do not get into a prestigious high school or college?

I had married that one?

I experienced love each and every moment?

My kids pick up drugs?

I only had 5 years to live?

I went off the grid – for real?

My kids get addicted to video games?

I removed e-mail from my life?

I had moved to Europe in 1975?

I leave my husband or he leaves me?

There is no answer to all my questions. As I look over these questions I see that dwelling on them mostly keeps me worried, doubtful and not present. They have me compare myself and my children to others successes and failures and ultimately do not allow for me to create the life I want to live in this moment. When I ‘what if’ I question my choices – and their outcomes – as if they were not enough as they are. I am not only pulled out of the present, but I am not honoring what is. In this way I declare, ‘what if’ is a Weapon of Scarcity.

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