Questioning Openings
Is this really an Opening? How can I be sure?
Doubt
Doubt is uncertainty regarding whether something is true. In this case, uncertainty as to whether what is before you is really an Opening. Openings usually involve challenging decisions and change. So, we’d better make sure they are real before taking them on. When doubt shows up, there’s more to do. The doubt must be released, so a decision can be made whether to enter an Opening.
Doubt can have many origins. It can be generated by the state of our mind and emotions. If feeling insecure for any reason when an Opening appears, doubt can walk right in. Doubt can arise when an Opening is obscured and we cannot see the whole of it. Doubt can come when others around us question what we see and we allow them to influence us. Doubt appears when we are unsure whether we can handle an Opening.
Doubt requires our attention, focus and insight. That’s how we make our time productive when dealing with doubt. Assessing the origin of our doubt and releasing it can strengthen us. Releasing doubt does not mean we eliminate uncertainty. Rather, we deal with the uncertainty that exists and find a way forward. Uncertainty does not have to stop us. Doubt can be overcome.
➟ Are you experiencing doubt in an area of your life? Is it holding you back? Coaching can help.
Discernment
When doubt appears relating to an Opening, it requires our discernment. We have to find our way to a clear vision of the Opening we see before us. Is it real or imagined? Is it a false door that will take us where we do not want to go or is it a true Opening? Discernment has been defined as the quality to be able to grasp what is obscure. Discernment allows us to find our way to clarity, even within the presence of uncertainty.
Discernment is a skill. If we are self-aware our ongoing life experiences enhance our skill of discernment. The experiences and people we encounter ask for our ability to read what is happening and find a way forward in our best interest. Discernment is truth seeking. We begin to find patterns and better understand our motivations and the motivations of others. In doing this we “see” better and can make better decisions when an Opening appears.
To discern we must be able to perceive reality. This takes courage as reality is not always easy to handle. Illusion, delusion or fooling ourselves because of fear hide reality and deceive us. But facing reality is the best place to start. It really is all we have. Anything else detours us on our path. When an Opening appears, practicing discernment involves centering our minds and emotions, seeing clearly what is in front of us, accepting uncertainty and exercising our best judgement regarding how to proceed and deciding whether to enter the Opening.
Trust
Trust is a key element in facing uncertainty. Trust is not blind faith or foolish hope. It is acceptance that amid uncertainty we can use our insight to choose the best path forward. It involves discernment, preparation, good judgment and knowledge of ourselves and the world around us. Trust often involves a leap of faith, but an informed one. Trust takes courage.
We develop trust by making decisions carefully, learning from the results of our decisions and choices and by being honest with ourselves. We develop trust by honoring our values – which are the essence of who we are. We develop trust by being honest with ourselves – by admitting failures and learning from them, as well as by celebrating our wins and accomplishments.
Trust in ourselves and in our choices gives us an advantage when an Opening appears and we question its nature or authenticity. Trust allows us to proceed quickly in determining if the Opening is for us and enhances our ability to decide whether to enter an Opening. Trust can also calm us. We do not want to be doubting ourselves, as well as doubting the Opening in front of us.
Staying Open
When an Opening appears that we are unsure of, best that we stay open. Although we may feel like hiding, that only holds us back and delays or stunts our growth. Staying open serves us by allowing us to face any Opening that appears, deal with uncertainty, and trust ourselves to make a choice. Staying open leads us to the best Openings!
Let me get started. I’ll figure out what this Opening is about and make the choice that is best for me.
photo: Martin Winkle Fotografie, pixabay.com
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