Expect the Unexpected
I hope you are well. I had clients this week share some rather big transitions and adjustments. Every time we think life is moving along fairly smoothly sometimes we are surprised with the unexpected. Change is the constant in life and as human beings we tend to like some regularity. Ups and downs tend to leave us feeling off balance.
Some ups and downs that occur are
- the loss of a job
- a family member or friend is diagnosed with a terminal or debilitating illness
- we have a car accident
- our natural resources like food and water may not be as abundant as they once were
This is the normal and change is always happening.
I live in Northern California and last week, our governor put a mandate on our water usage to reduce it by 25%. This is less than what we really need to mitigate our drought and water problem, but its a start to create more mindfulness on water consumption. As a result of this mandate, I have been hearing more and more conversations focused on water usage and what to do about it, and how to navigate the problem.
Water is essential for our survival, but in some ways we take it for granted and don’t think we would ever be without it, right? However, without protecting our resources of water, food, and even resources for energy it and it is not something we can always expect. Therefore I wanted to write about expecting the unexpected and how to cultivate more ease with this concept.
I have found for myself that becoming more comfortable with whatever is happening in the moment can be cultivated with the practice of “being with”. Being with is being curious about your experience in the moment and then seeing if you can be with whatever is happening with openness and calm. You aren’t pushing away something that isn’t pleasant or clinging to something more pleasant (which is typically what we do).
We as human beings like pleasant and don’t like unpleasant. We like when the temperature is in the 70’s, but we don’t like the 90s and therefore put on our air condition or drink cool beverages. We can observe our tendencies to change or struggle against how things are to what we want them to be.
Sometimes we can change our circumstances and sometimes we can’t.
Life isn’t always pleasant and pretending that it is, just makes the unpleasant harder to be with.
Can you see how the practice of “being with” and accepting life as it is could be helpful to you?
Lets try this on….
Was there something that happened today or this week that you wish hadn’t happened or you weren’t expecting?
Did you notice yourself pushing it away or clinging to something more pleasant?
Join me and learn to practice expecting the unexpected…
- If you have a wonderful connection with someone follow up and pursue it.
- If you have a desire to take a trip or plan one, do it. Unplugging and getting away is always good for the mind and spirit and brings fresh perspective.
- If an opportunity comes your way you have always dreamed of, go for it. Play BIG.
- Take a new class or do something you normally wouldn’t do.
- Clean out stuff and wear things you normally don’t wear.
- Change your routine in how you get up, go to sleep, or spend a weekend.
To make room for new things and new patterns, something always need to fall away, so let it go and see what fills the space.
How am I practicing this?
Today I let go of knowing what is going to happen with some professional projects I have been holding energy around. I surrendered to “being with” what I know to be true right now in this moment (which is I don’t know what is going to happen). I let go by erasing a list of names of these projects on my white board. I was realizing that I was feeling rather tired from the energy I was holding by waiting to see what would happen. In erasing these opportunities and projects, I let go of what is not in my control and opened to what is. I expect more clarity in the next few weeks, but just being with the “I don’t know” is oddly freeing. Ahhh 🙂
My invitation for this week, Get comfortable with UP, DOWN and SIDEWAYS as it is the new normal. When you can be with what is here in the moment, you have the opportunity to end up way more resilient, powerful and manifest incredible things in your life. Let me know how the practice goes.
May you be with the ups and downs with ease.
Carley
