Quit Overthinking

Life is a corkscrew 

Life, in all its unpredictability, has a knack for presenting us with circumstances we never anticipated. It bends and contorts, forming shapes and situations that seem to defy reason. We may attempt to unravel its complexities, only to find that our efforts create new tangles elsewhere. The more we try to smoothen the journey, the more it seems to twist back upon itself, like a vine that refuses to grow straight, always curling into new directions.

 

This ancient struggle to make sense of life is nothing new. Qohelet, (Solomon) the wise Questor chronicled in scripture, observed this confusion centuries ago. His words echo with a weary acceptance: “Life is a corkscrew that cannot be straightened, a minus that won’t add up.” Whether we look at old tales or modern times, people have always wrestled with the same questions, seeking clarity where none may exist. 

 

If a sage like Qohelet, endowed with wisdom and insight, admitted that life is inherently perplexing, what makes us think that our own attempts at deep thought or relentless analysis will bring us lasting clarity? There is comfort in admitting that confusion is a part of the human experience. Sometimes, our minds exhaust themselves trying to find solutions where none exist. (Personal confession)

Overthinking, then, becomes an obsession with solving a puzzle that was never meant to be solved. Unless one genuinely enjoys being lost in thought and confusion, (which I tend enjoy and that is why these ramblings) the energy spent on endless analysis is futile and draining. It is like chasing a mirage, always out of reach and never quite real.

 

The Way Out Isn’t More Thought — It’s More Presence

 

When our minds tire from wrestling with dilemmas and questions that have no answer, they fall back into familiar patterns. We become trapped in loops of worry, replaying old memories, inventing future disasters, and chasing fleeting shadows. These habits can become a form of escapism, distracting us from the reality of the present moment.

 

The antidote to this cycle is surprisingly straightforward: Stay in the present. Not just as a motivational phrase or a passing trend in mindfulness practices, but as a genuine approach to living. By anchoring ourselves in the present, we begin to experience life as it is, not as we wish it to be or fear it might become. 

 

Presence is not a technique; it is a way of being. It requires us to let go of the urge to dissect and analyse every aspect of our existence. Instead, it asks us to open our eyes to what is right in front of us, to savour the simple moments, and to accept the gifts that come our way without questioning their origin. Gifts that the creator gives to us each day, may it be pleasure or pain. 

 

The present is abundant with small, unassuming gifts that often go unnoticed. These treasures are not earned or manufactured - they are simply there, waiting to be acknowledged. They may seem ordinary, but their value lies in their quiet presence:

 

• A breeze you didn’t summon, refreshing you unexpectedly
• A flower blooming, though you never planted it
• A meal prepared by someone else, nourishing you
• Work that steadies your mind and gives a sense of purpose
• People who cross your path at just the right moment, offering help or companionship
• Or even a disturbed sleep or lapses in memory (recent gifts that I am learning to value)

 

These seemingly mundane experiences are, in fact, the real treasures of life. They require no analysis or judgement. Instead, they ask only for our attention - to be noticed, appreciated, and received without reservation.

 

Enjoyment Is a Present‑Tense Verb

 

To truly enjoy life, one must be receptive to its gifts as they unfold. As the saying goes: “How do you enjoy life as a gift, and enjoy life’s gifts as gifts? Be present to the present’s presents. Presents from the creator who keeps gifting daily. Show up fully to what the moment offers, and it will show up fully for you. Enjoyment is a present‑tense verb - to enjoy, you must be present and not tense.” This wisdom reminds us that fulfilment is not found in waiting for the perfect answer, but in embracing what is available to us right now.

 

Many times, we find ourselves gazing at the sky, hoping that solutions or clarity will descend from above. However, life is not lived in lofty abstractions - it unfolds on the ground, in the tangible reality of our everyday interactions and experiences. The answers we seek are not hidden in distant places; they are present in the here and now, waiting for us to notice them.

 

Therefore, step into your own life. Let the present moment meet you, and welcome its gifts, however humble they may be.

 

You’re Not Supposed to Understand Everything God Does

 

This is perhaps the hardest lesson to accept: the limits of our understanding.

 

We crave clarity, a detailed plan, a blueprint for life that eliminates uncertainty. But the reality is that such clarity is rarely granted. We are not expected to comprehend every act or intention of the divine. There is a freedom in letting go of the need to know everything, in accepting that some things are beyond our understanding.

 

God operates in ways that cannot be mapped or predicted. Accepting this truth allows us to relinquish our compulsion for control. True wisdom lies in realising that our knowledge will always be incomplete, and that is not a flaw but a feature of the human condition.

 

This is where genuine reverence emerges. The fear of God, in scripture, is not terror but trust. It is a humble awareness that we are not the ultimate authority. By accepting this, we are liberated from the endless cycle of trying to control every aspect of life.

  

We often fear what we cannot control and attempt to control what we fear. But with the God, it is different. We fear God not because He is menacing, but because His ways are beyond us. This reverent fear is liberating, allowing us to release our grip on everything else. “You fear Him because you can’t control Him - and that very fear frees you from trying to control everything else.”

 

It is a fear that dissolves ordinary fears, leaving us with a sense of peace and acceptance.

 

Let the Mystery Be the Mystery

 

So, take a deep breath.

 

Let life remain crooked where it is crooked, let the unanswered questions stay unanswered, and let the mystery remain mysterious. There is beauty in acceptance, in recognising that not everything needs to be solved or understood.

 

Enjoy what is before you - the small, the simple, the sacredly ordinary. Allow yourself to live fully, to appreciate the present without being consumed by the need to interpret or analyse. And most importantly, quit overthinking. And Fear God and live each day to its fullest. 

This blog is a collation of thoughts from 

 

1.        The Book of Ecclesiastics

2.        Everything is Never Enough, Book by Bobby Jamieson

and AI help in edited the writing style. (Testing out)