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I Know You Think You Know, But You Probably Don’t Know

Letting Go of Outcome
Lindsay Manfredi

Lindsay Manfredi

4 Min Read

One of my favorite bands in the world is Manchester Orchestra. Two of the best lines off their album, Mean Everything To Nothing, is from the song, Tony The Tiger. “I know you think you know, but you probably don’t. I know you think you know, but you probably don’t know.” Let’s dive. (And after, I’d encourage you to check out the song because it’s baller.) 

I spent the last two weeks reading the book I Can See Clearly Now by Dr. Wayne W. Dyer. If you’ve read any of my work, you know that he is one of my most cherished spiritual mentors, and I write about him and his teachings A LOT. While reading this epic journey of him looking back at his life, I’ve come to realize some things about myself I’d like to share, because I’m sure there are many of you in the same boat I’m in when it comes to dealing with this parenthesis of existence we’re in right now called life.

So, in my own little world, where I’m just moving along with my day thinking this and thinking that, and thinking that I know what’s good for me and what I need, I’ve come to the realization that I really don’t know any of these things. I don’t really know what’s good for me. I may think I do, but I’m pretty sure that most of my life, the Universe has proven otherwise. I’m pretty sure there was a time in my life I HAD to date a certain someone, or I HAD to be a part of whatever it was I thought I HAD to be a part of, and I look back now and think, “Phew, thank God that didn’t happen.” Has this ever happened to you? Have you ever looked back and recognized that you probably didn’t REALLY know what was best for you? If you have, this gives me hope.

As I reflect, I am in awe, gratefulness, wonder, and excitement: Awe and gratefulness for recognizing I’m in control of myself (my actions and attitude) and not of the outcome (since I don’t REALLY know what’s best for me), and wonder and excitement for what’s to come in the future (BECAUSE I’m in control of my actions and attitude). But even BIGGER than this, I’m excited also because we can kinda just sit back and relax, because we have a Universe behind us giving us gentle reminders (and sometimes not so gentle) that while we may not know what’s best every time, this Power Source that keeps all things in order does. It is simply our choice to open up to it. It is our choice to view perceived failures as terrible, awful things that happened to us because we are victims, OR view them closed doors that wouldn’t have been in our best interest, and patiently wait for the right door TO open.

Yes, we have a CHOICE. It is also our choice, and responsibility if we want to live to our highest potential, to listen to that inner voice in our heads that lead us to the conclusion, that everything is going to be okay when we just trust in this Source. When you have dreams or wishes, put them out there, do the work that needs to be done in order to reach those goals, but then leave it up to the Universe to make all things happen in the perfect time, in the perfect manner, to where it almost seems effortless.

So, to sum this up… When you are IN it, and by IN it, I mean going through the million things in your head, I encourage you to:

  1. Take a moment to reflect on something that absolutely worked out perfectly with no help from you. Then give a little “thank you” to the Universe.
  2. Realize that if you live with an open mind to new things happening, you’re allowing room for miracles to ignite in your life.
  3. Remember that you’re fucking amazing.

Author(s)

  • Lindsay Manfredi

    Lover, Rocker, Speaker, Author, Mother, Road Warrior

    Lindsay Manfredi is a renaissance woman who has pushed creative and spiritual boundaries throughout her life. Manfredi is the bassist for two-time gold album and platinum record selling, alternative rock band, COLD, and published her first memoir/personal development book entitled Unfuckwithable: A Guide to Inspired Badassery, in June 2020 through Rose Gold Publishing. Manfredi previously rocked the Indianapolis social media and marketing scene for ten years with her company Linzstar Inc, featured prominently in speaking engagements from Blog Indiana to Bloomington's The Combine. Manfredi's online writing has been published in various media outlets. Manfredi also co-founded Girls Rock! Indianapolis, a nonprofit rock n' roll summer camp for girls ages 8-16 and is a two-time TEDx speaker, spreading her experiences and encouragement to every community she is a part of. Indianapolis Monthly Magazine named Manfredi, a top up-and-coming artist in 2013. As a singer/songwriter, Manfredi is a frequent collaborator with Geno Lenardo (Filter, Chevelle) and has original music featured on the Fitfluential Radio Podcast.  She keeps her toe in the marketing world through particular pop-up events, including a band-dedicated luxury candle collection in Los Angeles, CA. She has music partnerships with Ernie Ball, Jim Dunlop, and has two signature series basses through Diamond Guitars. Manfredi currently resides in Los Angeles.