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Navigating Uncertainty

Submitted by on November 1, 2008 - 1:31 am

Does life lately feel like you are being pushed to take a giant leap into the unknown? Whether things are changing with your finances, work-purpose, relationships, residence, your inner being or all of the above, you are not alone.

If only we knew the jump was manageable, no problem. But who knows if it’s 3 feet down or thousands of feet? On the ego-personality level, we can easily become very terrified that we (or life as we know it) are about to die.

Know that if the economy totally collapses, if your life seems to fall apart, you will still have your body. If your body fails, you will still have yourself, the awareness you are that you will take with you beyond this body.

And we may not be able to change the stock market, the political climate, or those around us, but we can always change ourselves. Know that any changes you make in your RELATIONSHIP to, or in your perspective on any of those things or people are changes you take with you no matter what happens.

Within this life you have probably seen examples of this. For one, if you clear up any unresolved emotional issues that arise in a challenging relationship, you will have an easier time in the next relationship, even if the first one ends in it’s current physical form.

Conversely, if you end a relationship (and this could be with a person, job or any aspect of life) with anger, hatred, fear or resistance, you will pick right up where you left off in the next relationship or situation. So in this sense we never get rid of anyone or anything. In order to make it through peacefully we have to transform ourselves.

When we transform ourselves, we no longer need to hate, fear or resist. And as the whole system of competition and greed changes, we are either choosing or being forced (depending on our level of resistance) to start cooperating. I don’t know about you, but I’d rather choose!

As nothing before our eyes can be relied on like it used to, we are being called to look behind our eyes, inside, where our true answers are. As someone who has always looked inside and seen or chose many things that seemed strange to others, as someone who helps people daily to find their truth inside, I am very very excited for these changes.

In my observations at this time, no one I know is bored or having an “easy” time of things. (If you are, let me know and congratulations!) But those I see getting caught up in worry, anxiety or fear are having a much harder time than those who have the courage to let go and trust in themselves and the process of life, even as they’re reeling around a dark corner with no headlights or seatbelt.

And, as I observe people in their healing process I am seeing more and more of something I’ve always said: as long as we are moving we’re ok, but when we get stuck healing stops. By “moving” I don’t necessarily mean go out jogging or move to another country (although you may do that). I mean movement in all areas: moving the body, communicating and expressing yourself, trying new things and keeping your mind open.

We are learning what really matters and we are learning how to take care of ourselves, each other and the earth. We are learning in big ways in “real life” what many of us have already learned theoretically or in smaller ways– to let go of attachments to the external forms of things, and to place our faith back in our inner being, in spirit and in our hearts. The learning curve has gotten steeper because we are ready for it.

Many of us are undergoing changes at this time so that we can be more of service in the times to come. If life seems not to make sense, know that there is a much bigger plan unfolding than any of us can really see right now.

If you are feeling lost right now, here are a few suggestions:

MOVE anything you can- your body, your voice, your mind, your breath, your furniture, whatever inspires you.

LOVE one another and yourself. No matter how you feel or what’s going on, err on the side of kindness and see what happens.

SHARE of yourself, whatever you have to offer, no matter how small or insignificant it seems. If you are seeking a larger sense of purpose, ask for guidance and be open to the answer or even a next step.

Thanks for reading and let me know if I can be of further service to you!

copyright 2008 Ann O’Brien- All Rights Reserved.