Walking with the Unknown

There are countless times when you don’t know.

There is so much that is not clear.  It is sometimes hard to see what is ahead.  We like familiar paths, familiar people, familiar restaurants or gathering places and familiar neighbourhoods.  Familiar feels safe.  This is important and needed at times.  

And.....our brains, hearts and souls also seek newness, change and learning.  

When there is too much new, stimulation, change or unsetlling around us, anxiety about 'the unknown' may become stronger.  

Part of our human evolution has been in the striving and searching for the apparent solid nature of ‘facts’.  We like to affirm again and again what is known.  But really, there is much more that is unknown.  

A disturbing concept for many to consider yet the vast unknown is exponentially larger than what is known.  Even accepted facts are often changeable in one short life-span.  

Many things seem apparently unchangeable and known for sure.

Some examples;

My house is solid.   (until it isn’t)

My chair is stable. (until it breaks, becomes too old or is exposed to a destructive element)

My dog is here.  (until a moment when they stray, ill or age and pass)

My child is ______(insert trait)  Every parent knows that all traits or descriptive words are temporary and that passing states can be influenced by various elements.

My parter is________healthy/reliable/consistent etc (until they are not)

I am ________.  Same as above.  

Even that which we each seek to rely on, I ‘have an office’, I ‘have’ a job, 'I have friends', these are all passing experiences that provide temporary stability and hopefully enjoyment, but this too, will change.  

The ‘unknowns’ travelling through our mind on the daily or year by year are concepts such as;

Will my job thrive if the economy changes? 

Will my income be better or worse than last year?  

Will I be able to move/afford _____? 

Will this relationship last? 

 If I get married (or are married), will my marriage be satisfying? 

Will my spouse change that habit I hate?  

Will my parents’ health get worse?  

Will I have to figure all of this out myself?  

I don’t know what to do–what will happen if I choose _______, what if I choose  ________?  Will I ever have ____________?

Will I ever feel lasting peace?  

Will I ever be truly happy?’

The list is endless because the mind and its’ wanderings are endless.  You can fill your 60,000 thoughts a day with What if’s, and How’s and Will this?  Will I?  And your days, each and every day, will prove exhausting.

The unknown can never be managed.  As much as our rational logical brain would like to have answers and put safety measures in place and ensure minimal risk, the unknown can never truly be managed.  

Contemplating what is unknown, and considering the reality of what is unknown in your life may be destabilizing.  It can be very scary for many people.  

How can we practice being at peace with the unknown? 

The Truth is this. 

Somewhere inside you is a place that is untouched. 

Untouched by worry, untouched by judgement, untouched by your expectations and attachments.  This place is also untouched by your fears and hopes and dreams.  

Have you ever visited this place?

Do you want to?

This is the place where Peace is found.

This place has endless Joy.

This place is boundless Space.  

This is the place where you find Safety.

There is no one on Earth who doesn’t have this place.  It is your birthright and lives inside you.  You cannot ever remove it, damage it or lose it.  

However, this place of acceptance, fullness, emptiness and stillness and so much more.......

can only be sought,.....

and found......

by...

You.   

You've heard it many times.

It may seem even seem kind of trite.

You are what you've been looking for. 

In a chaotic world screaming for your attention, there's nothing like making more time to get to know your own self.  

When you need a guide, want it faster, or don't know why it seems elusive, reach out. 

alexandra@alexandragoldwell.com