...letting go of the need for certainty.
Wow…odd that I would tackle this one this week. Such timely advice as I am in the middle of navigating a complicated legal issue that is full of uncertainty and surprises. As I have reached out to my supports for certainty they have reminded me only death and taxes are certain. The research shows that trusting in Faith and intuition requires letting go of certainty. Big Sigh! (No easy task.)
As Brené describes it: “intuition is not a single way of knowing—it’s our ability to hold space for uncertainty, and our willingness to trust the many ways we’ve developed knowledge and insight, including instinct, experience, faith, and reason” (The Gift’s of Imperfection, Brown, 2010, p 88.”) Over and over again I was reminded that the certainty that I seek is not there.
My horoscope even directed me towards faith, instructing me to put my intentions “out into the universe.” So I did it. “Universe please recognize my need for safety and help me feel safe and protected in this world.” To be fair – the relief was pretty short lived, but it was there. For an hour or two I forgot and stopped problem solving. Okay! – rinse/repeat, and I received some more peace.
So I have to stop the struggle?! ARRGH, yes I do. This doesn’t mean giving up or quitting, but letting go and trusting that that I have made the best decisions and choices with the information I have and having faith in my own abilities to manage whatever comes my way, and in the universe to give me what I need.
It is like turning from fear of the dark towards gratitude. I simply have to choose to trust my intuition and practice faith. I will have to accept uncertainty. The struggle was setting me back and keeping me anxious and messing with my ability to enjoy my life, family, work and nature.
Being a true believer in mindfulness, but a poor practitioner at times, I had been a bit remiss with my practice. This guidepost helps me remember the growth that has occurred since I first started my “accidental mindfulness journey.” I took the message to heart and returned, once again, to mindfulness practices and faith.
All of the Guideposts remind us that we have to “practice” these things. They don’t necessarily come naturally to us, and even if they do we need to give them attention. Anything neglected for too long will leave you. It is so easy for all of us to get caught up in “doing, achieving, problem solving etc.” and forget to practice Faith and actively listen to our intuition.
For me, sometimes the block is needing the certainty. And like Brené, I know I am abandoning my Faith and intuition when I start “polling” others for their opinion. I realized in the week it has taken me to ponder and finish this article that I have good intuition and Faith has always been a comfort to me. I will sit and breathe and put my needs out in the universe and go on with a smile on my face and my eyes open for good things to come.