Work In Colour - Work. Think. Live. In Colour
Tuesday 9th June 2009 | 4 comments
I went for a long walk with my dog today, listening to an old favourite on my iPod, David Whyte's quite marvellous Clear Mind Wild Heart. I reached the place where he talks of those times in our lives where we have to become bigger, where we must find a way to inhabit a greater sense of possibility than before.
He talks of the importance of recognising and acting in those moments; otherwise time and circumstances will move on and it may be years before an opportunity presents itself again.
We are generally aware, at least dimly, that such a moment is approaching, we have a sense that things are shifting around us and that change is possible. Whyte describes this as those times where we become aware that our reality has become too small for us, where we are running out of options except to step into something more, to move forward into a new phase.
But often we ignore the call, either through fear or apathy or a refusal to believe that our dreams could come true. (And no, the so-called recession is NOT an excuse to stay under your doona for a year or ten.)
Change can feel like we are stepping into a void, through a door into empty space...and indeed we are, in the sense that we cannot know what the future will bring. We have to trust - but it's not about trusting in the world or fate or the kindness of strangers. It is rather about trusting in our own capacity to weather whatever lies ahead. Our ability to move forward into change has a lot to do with our capacity to deal with uncertainty, our capacity to handle disappointments and even betrayal...and still not give up on what we really want to do.
It's not about blindly leaping into the chasm either. Preparation, planning and keeping a foot in both worlds for a while are all important. Going slowly is just fine. (But if you suspect 'going slowly' has turned to 'procrastination', contact me with 'Procrastination' in the message and I'll send you a worksheet to keep the momentum going.)
For me 2009 is a lot about stepping up, becoming bigger (though not my hips, please God not my hips...) and becoming more present and more useful in the world.
My quote du jour is by Rumi:
'The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you. Don't go back to sleep. You must ask for what you really want. Don't go back to sleep. People are going back and forth across the door sill where two worlds touch. The door is round and open. Don't go back to sleep.'
My challenge to you is not to go back to sleep, to listen for your chance to grow and to inhabit a bigger world. Where are you headed?
(Maybe I'll see you there...)
Lovely summary of moving forward and enjoying the journey.
I am finding it challenging sometimes to enjoy the process (if me and my husband creating a life in the bush) and not get toooo hung up on the outcome but enjoy the journey every single step. We are more creative, we are more understanding towards each other and we are always happy with the little outcomes along the way, because we are in tune with the project at all times.
thanks
Astrid
Thanks for this, Astrid. When I started trying to leave the mainstream life that I (or rather my parents:) ) had planned, I expected that you only had to make that one, big, brave decision and thereafter the universe would reward your courage with a dream run...not so, of course. But as you say, it's still worth it!
Thanks Joanna for a piece of writing which I experience as optimistic but not "let's all be positive". Optimism in that it encourages mastery and courage in the face of uncertainty and hardship. I like how you acknowledge the challenges and encourage engagement with them rather than staying under the doona :-) Off now in Cape Town, South Africa to do my small steps towards creating a worthwhile day and week. Svea
Thanks Svea, good to hear from you
Joanna