The Timing of Openings

Sometimes movement is nonexistent in my journey. I want to move forward and little happens. It can be frustrating, as I am willing to do whatever is needed.
 
When We Want Movement

We relish movement, especially in the modern world. Stasis is not a natural state for us if it lasts too long. We measure ourselves by the amount and nature of movement in our lives. Generally, doing is much more valued than being. When we face periods of inactivity, we can feel as if we are failing or being left behind. That makes us uncomfortable.

There are many reasons to want movement. We may not like where we are in the present moment. We may aspire to things we do not have now. We may feel intuitively that it is time for us to move. We may see those around us in movement and want to be as well. We may feel movement is the only thing that demonstrates progress in our lives.

Movement, however, can serve as a distraction for us if we make it so. We create movement in order to avoid things in our lives that we do not want to face. We convince ourselves that movement is best and that slowing down to look at other things is not productive or acceptable. We fear what will happen if we are not in movement.

Timing Is Not Always in Our Control

There are some aspects of the timing of things that we can control. Most of what is in our control lies in our response to events that occur in our lives. We can take steps that we perceive will help us get where we want to go. We can move forward towards our goals with focus and intent. We can control our own actions and the timing of them.

However, there are many aspects of timing that we cannot control, as much as we may wish to. We cannot control what others do or what opportunities come into our lives. We cannot control the events that take place in the world that affect our lives. We cannot “make” something happen if it is not meant to be. We cannot force something to be true.

There is a balance here – between what we can control and what is out of our control. The skill we need lies in understanding this balance and proceeding accordingly. This does not leave us either totally in control or totally out of control. This balance asks for our insight regarding when we can control things and when we cannot. Both total control and having no control are illusions.

Accepting the Presence of the Unknown

The unknown is all around us, but our society tries hard to blot out its existence. We have come to fear the unknown, rather than see it for what it is. It is part of our reality and can be dealt with. Fear of the unknown is used to manipulate us into thinking we can be harmed by it and must be protected.

We have what we need to accept the unknown if we begin to let go of our fear of it. Here are some ways we can begin to accept the presence of the unknown in our lives:

·       See the unknown as an adventure. Both good and bad can lie in the unknown. We can be excited by its possibilities.
·       Affirm our ability to deal with the unknown. When something shows up in the present moment, we have what we need to deal with it.
·       Let go of fear of the unknown. Sure, there are possibilities that unwelcome things may happen, but fear won’t help us if they do and more likely will diminish our ability to deal with what shows up.
·       Prepare, as best we can, to deal with things that cause our fear. When we prepare, fear loses its hold on us.
·       Accept that we cannot control our lives completely. Things will happen that we do not anticipate. They can be wonderful things as well as challenging things.

Positive Surrender

When we surrender – accept the presence of the unknown in our lives – life can take a very positive turn. We are dealing with life as it really is. We see our lives honestly and can act accordingly. This gives us a big advantage both in seeing Openings before us and in responding to them. We live in the present moment and have transcended our illusions of safety and control.