I’m at an inflection point. There is what is happening in the world at large, my work, my family dynamics, and even more curiously—something in me. These pivots aren’t new territory for me. In the past, however, I have felt stuck, fearful, gripped during a period of not knowing. Something’s different this time, I can be in the uncertainty in a different way—not my typical forcing, rushing to solve, deciding to appease my discomfort.
Don’t get me wrong, I do have moments of feeling anxious—a deep discomfort in my body and mind. A strong, familiar voice emerges that says, “DO SOMETHING!” But, mostly, I am able to be with it—taking small steps and allowing the clarity to emerge.
One of my wise teachers asked, “What is giving you the capacity to be with this?” Some of it is a mystery—and here are a few things that are emerging:
- Sitting with the uncomfortable feelings of concern through fear. Grounding myself and allowing it to pass. (If we don’t fuel the fire, it tends to pass pretty quickly).
- Reaching out and working with teachers, coaches, and wise friends. We need guides to support staying open and attuned vs. gripping tightly and closing inward.
- Leaning into my spiritual practices. This looks different for everyone and all strengthen capacity to sit with the unfolding.
- Seeking inspiration from poetry, nature, art, and more.
- Engaging in the Renewal practices I wrote about in January. Coincidence?
Practices
- What’s shifting in your world? What are your predominant emotions about these shifts? Where do you feel it in your body?
- What beliefs or habitual patterns are strengthening your discomfort?
- What or who can support you to be with this? Take that step—it is right action.
Here is a famous poem-like quote from Rilke which has helped me sit with not knowing now and in other uncertain times in my life.
