Upheaval Is Transformative

I am holding a beautiful sculpture made of blocks of many colors. Someone comes along, takes the sculpture from my hands and throws it in the air. The blocks are sturdy and do not break; however they scatter in all directions, landing on the floor.

At first, I am upset and angry at losing the sculpture. Then, after a while, I realize that this upheaval has presented an opening. I can now rearrange the blocks to create my own object of beauty. I pick up the pieces and get to work.

This Is A Time Of Upheaval

We are currently living through a time of major upheaval. Elements of our lives, and the world around us, are up in the air. Much of what we knew before is gone (whether we realize it yet or not). We do not know when or how these elements may come to settle. We face a choice now of where to put our focus in the midst of this change: to look back – grasping for what was, to look forward or to stay present in the moment.

Change Creates Opportunities

In this unsettled state, openings are everywhere. Why not seize them? Some are inviting. Some are scary. Some leave us uncertain. We have an opportunity to identify and step through these openings. To do so, takes personal strength – getting through fear and releasing what we need to.

An opening can come in the form of an opportunity to change the way we work, having the time to pursue a dream or a breakthrough insight that allows us to improve something about ourselves.

Openings are about movement and learning. They are about the journey, not the destination alone. An opening is a place from which to start a journey. Its appearance does not guarantee success or failure or tell us about what lies ahead. Going through an opening can result in a false start. That’s okay. In that case, we can look around for a new opening. It will appear.

When we see an opening, entering it can be done gently, step-by-step, or quickly, all at once. We must look back only fleetingly, let go of what no longer serves us, gather the resources we need, determine what we are aiming for and start walking. Once through the opening, intention fuels our journey.

Fear Can Transform Us

Fear is very present now – unsettling us but also creating openings. We can allow fear to take hold or we can rise from it.

What may not have been possible in the past is possible now. Human kindness is more evident as we cheer on and appreciate first responders and care for others. Some are facing that their lives are now on very uncertain foundations that may have to be rebuilt. Those losing loved ones are experiencing great pain, from which they must emerge.

If we can accept the uncertainty of our lives and redirect the energy of our fear into positive action, the results will be transformative.