All the news about rising oil and gas costs, record numbers of home foreclosures, job layoffs and the economic slowdown has created much uncertainty about the future. We wonder if the rising costs and economic slowdown could create financial difficulties within our lives. How can we thrive when our financial stability seems so uncertain? The answer lies in our ability to simply trust life and all our experiences including what we judge as difficult times.
We can learn to live with uncertainty and actually thrive in it. The key to thriving in uncertainty is getting clear about where we are putting our trust in. If we are putting our trust solely in a job or business that we own, then it is a set-up for fear. It is wiser to put our trust in a Higher Power rather than something external that can come and go at will. When we put our trust in a Higher Power, then we develop a deeper knowing that we will always be taken care of, no matter what is happening in the world out there. We may have to make some adjustments and shifts, but we will come through the storm. Our trust in a Higher Power does not mean that we will not endure changes within our lives, but we know that we are not helpless victims caught up in some random turn of events. We can see the changes that happen within our lives as part of our growth, even if they are difficult.
By trusting a Higher Power, we can develop the faith that the Creator has a plan for us, even if we face a personal loss. Every circumstance always creates an opportunity to learn something about living. Every circumstance always contains greater possibilities for us, if we can get out of the way and open up to how we can gain from change or a loss.
Thriving with uncertainty also means letting go of attachments to our possessions. When it comes to possessions, it is wise to remember that we never truly own anything on a spiritual level. We are merely temporary caretakers who need to be open and ready to letting something go when it no longer serves us or when our stewardship has come to an end. We may not always decide when it is time to let something go. External circumstances may create the change for us. In these cases, it may be painful and difficult to lose something that we loved and enjoyed, but we are not completely at a loss. We can choose to be thankful for the joy that we received from the possession and hope that the next user experiences joy from it as well. We can trust and believe that we will have other possessions in the future, but it is time to move on now.
We have to also let go of emotional attachments to a way of life. We tell ourselves that we should always live our lives the same way. A career was never meant to last a lifetime. Working for just one employer is not realistic any more. Living in the same city and state is not always realistic. Starting and operating a profitable business for a lifetime is never guaranteed. Sometimes, it is time for us to move on to a new path. External circumstances may create an opening for us to move on since it can be difficult to step onto a new path on our own. Everything in life has a natural beginning and end point. Everything has an up and down period. We fool ourselves when we tell ourselves that everything has to stay the same. To thrive in uncertainty, we have to remind ourselves that life is always about change.
Change is not negotiable. We simply need to learn to expect change and be curious about the new opportunities that always come with change. Change involves letting go of something and moving away from what is familiar and comfortable, but we have to trust ourselves to handle living in uncertainty. The next phase of our lives will not always be neatly laid out before us. We may have to take a step or two in the dark before we can see which direction the road leads us. We have to trust the Creator during uncertain times. Life is always supporting us. Life is never really about suffering and struggle. Sometimes, we add to our suffering and struggle by refusing to accept change. It is so wise to remember that we are always being supported, even during times of great loss and pain. We may not always understand the big picture of why this is happening or how will this benefit us, but we simply have to trust that our highest good is always being served by our experiences.
Create a new attitude about uncertainty. Re-assure yourself that all is well for you, even during great uncertainty. You may not know exactly what is going to happen next, but remind yourself that you can handle whatever it is. Focus on the present moment instead of worrying about what might happen in the future. You are a survivor and you will find a way to handle whatever is coming next.
Try not to magnify your fears. Our culture loves to talk about doom and gloom, which only feeds our fears and creates a sense of hopelessness. Stop listening to the news. Stop reading or listening to experts who predict more future financial doom and gloom. Stop reading about other people's financial difficulties and life struggles. Just because other people are having difficulties does not mean that you will experience the same circumstances. Even if you have similar circumstances as others, it does not mean you will experience the same fate as others. The way we experience life has a lot to do with our thoughts and beliefs. What are you thinking?
Get your thoughts in line with hope and faith about living instead of fear. Create a mental vision of yourself surviving and thriving during uncertain times, even if the worst-case scenario happened to you. Develop an unshakeable confidence that you can overcome any circumstance and create a new life for yourself. If you lost your most prized possession, you would still find a way to live and be happy. Your life is larger than any possession including a house. Here is a healing meditation to help you focus your thoughts toward hope during uncertain times:
I am always safe, no matter what is happening in the world. I know that I can take care of myself. The Creator has blessed me with many talents and skills that I can use to take care of myself. I am always open to exploring new talents and using them to care of myself. I embrace new opportunities to do more with my life. I use every experience as an opportunity to learn and grow wiser. All my experiences support my highest good. Life is always supporting me. All is well in my life.
Copyright©2008 Jeannine Robinson All Rights Reserved