When An Opening Presents Itself

I am going about my daily life. Circumstances that once were fine become unpalatable. The world around and within me has changed. It is disconcerting and I am not sure what to do. I can look at this shift as an Opening. Then what do I do?

Change Brings Openings

Certainty is an illusion. One thing we can be sure of is that our lives will change over time and our futures are unknown. We can view change as a threat, give in to fear and try to hide. Or, we can view change as an opportunity, muster our courage and face what is occurring.

Change comes in many forms – a loss of something we valued, a new opportunity appearing, a challenge to life as it was, a chance that wasn’t there before or an insight that expands our horizons. Seeing change as an opportunity smoothes the flow of life and requires us to be fully present in the moment. Within change lies an Opening, waiting for us to see.

Responding To Change

Once an Opening is seen, we have a choice of saying yes or no to it.

There are reasons to say yes to change. Change brings movement. We grow as we prepare for change and contemplate what the change will bring to our life. As we study the Opening, get familiar with it and then walk through it, life transforms.

There are reasons, as well, to say no to a change. Not every change is a good one. If we say no, then we can decide what we want instead.  We grow as we make this decision and refine what we want our life to be. Then, a decision is made to not walk through that Opening and life goes on.

Committing To Change

Once through an Opening, commitment is essential. Half way actions do not work. This is the nature of an Opening. The past is gone and a new path is set. Trying to return is futile. Not that we cannot physically return to life as it was. It’s just that the act of saying yes to an Opening changes us. The part of us that wanted to walk through the Opening can no longer be denied. We have expanded and the past no longer fits.

Once through an Opening, there is a path to walk. Change may or may not be instantaneous. The terrain may be difficult and ask new things of us. The people and circumstances surrounding us may be new. The skills required may be different than in our past life. Commitment sees us through.