Where does one start when there is an overwhelm of feelings, an overwhelm of concerns and rapid shifts in the world we knew. The ‘unknown’ is a difficult concept at the best of times and for me, can seem like a very unsafe place. Contemplating and reflecting on my journey of the unknown I recognize the validity it has in my life. Change, innovation, evolution, growth is all created out of the unknown. Yes, it can feel extremely painful, uncomfortable and perhaps the extent to which I embrace the unknown will determine my journey through it. The vastness of possibilities awaiting me may be endless.
I relate the Unknown to our emotional network. Here is a quote by Jill Bolte Taylor, Neuroscientist…
“When a person has a reaction to something in their environment, there’s a 90 second chemical process that happens in the body; after that, any remaining emotional response is just the person choosing to stay in that emotional loop. Something happens in the external world and chemicals are flushed through your body which puts it on full alert. For those chemicals to totally flush out of the body it takes less than 90 seconds. This means that for 90 seconds you can watch the process happening, you can feel it happening, and then you can watch it go away. After that, if you continue to feel fear, anger, and so on, you need to look at the thoughts that you’re thinking that are re-stimulating the circuitry that is resulting in you having this physiological response over and over again.”
Holding on to what we know or our learned messaging, rather than embracing the present feeling long enough for the flow of change to happen, keeps us in a familiar circuitry. Cycling through the same patterning inhibits evolution, growth and the beauty of what may unfold in the unknown. When we can allow the shift into uncharted waters, we open a door to empowerment, innovation, greater knowledge and progression in our gifts we offer the world.
What is on the other side of the feeling is in the realm of uncertainty and that can feel scary. Perhaps there is a family history of many unfortunate tragedies where your family began to defend against the unknown. There are many possibilities as to why there is fear embedded in our conscious and unconsciousness.
You might ask, “How do I take a step towards the unknown?” A good place to start is to notice and allow what feelings you are having as you think about the unknown. You may want to explore stories passed down through your family. What kind of things happened and how did your family get through tough times? Were there any beliefs about how to stay safe during challenges, struggles or tragedies?
These next questions are important… What do feel were yours and your family’s strengths at those times? What skills did you and your family learn as a result of misfortune and pain?
From here I would encourage you to find a symbol, word, sound, song, image that could represent you and your family’s strengths and developed generational skills of survival. The truth being, as humans we prefer what is familiar rather than the uncertain… so a way to step towards the unknown is to bring something in that is known. This allows for something to hold on to a while navigating uncertainty. This can be a symbol of hope, trust, security.
Sending love and care to all of you as you journey through a world of uncertainty. I believe we will all find our way. Stay connected and know you are loved!