I’m pleased to be able to share a guest post by a new web-friend, Jane Duncan of Rich Thinkers.
We human beings like plans, on the whole. We tend to wake up and know what our day is going to be like. We act as if what we think is going to happen, will happen. But what do you do when suddenly out of the blue, something interrupts your plans? What do you do if your plans appear to unravel before your very eyes? When the structures you have set up to conduct your life within begin to crumble and fall apart?
This is what has been happening for me over the last year, since my husband was diagnosed with stomach cancer. In the moment of receiving that news, all “plans” went out the window, because suddenly we were living with a huge amount of uncertainty. Forced to live in the moment, if you like. And now, after treatment, we are still in a place of uncertainty, and other very simple structures are being dismantled, like mealtimes. Because he is having to explore new ways of eating since his stomach operation, the mealtime rhythm in our house has been disrupted. Then, last week I was away twice on different courses, which is another disruption of our normal daily routine. Plus, the plans that I have had for RichThinkers have not quite been working out as I thought they would – or as I had planned.
Which leads to the question in the title of this article. Who’s really in charge of your business? Or – who’s really in charge of your life? I know it looks like we as human beings are, with our intentions, goals, plans, investments, structures and daily rhythms that support us – but when these all begin to fall apart, what is there left? And how do you carry on?
Pondering this question today, it led me to the idea of actively letting go of all the structures (or actually, admitting that they are letting go of me!) and allowing myself to be in freefall for however long. It’s like when a trapeze artist jumps from one trapeze to another – there is a moment of suspension in the air which occurs because of the faith present just before the letting go, and the trust that the other trapeze bar will be there just at the right moment. But the moment of suspension is the place I’m talking about right now. And that’ s the place where the question ‘what if I just showed up each morning and asked what to do?’ comes from – that space of emptiness, of trusting and faith that the answer will be shown.
In the spirit of this question, I’m not providing an answer in this article. There isn’t one that comes from me, for you. Your answer has to come from within you, and from you being willing to ask that question from a place of uncertainty.
If you are currently finding that the structures of your life are collapsing around you; or if you are someone who thrives on (the illusion of) being in control; or if you are facing big, apparent disasters, then perhaps this is a moment to consider stopping trying to find a structure outside yourself on which to rely, and turn inside, asking the question, ‘What shall I do today, in my business?’ Or even ‘What would You have me do today?’
Given that you are asking this of your own inner wisdom, or Higher Power, the answer is likely to come in a sign, a signal, a whisper, an intuitive feeling, or even just a strong urge to take action in some way. So I invite you today or tomorrow, to sit still and ask your inner wisdom how you should show up in your business; what actions to take when; how to be in a particular meeting or conversation. Explore, see what happens and let me know!Hint: it’s easier to hear an answer when your mind is stilled, so this is something be asked when you are in your normal meditation time, or taking the time to calm and collect yourself before starting on a project or task of some kind.
There were so many reasons why Jane’s article struck a chord inside me – resonating with so many of my own experiences. And especially with my knowing that the answers to life’s thorniest questions truly do lie WITHIN – and all we need to do is be ready to “Pause, Turn and Listen” to what it has to say to us.
What about you? What resonated for you in Jane’s words? I’d love your feedback.
And, if you’re sensing that perhaps a bit of help to “tune in” to your inner wisdom is in order, please check out my free e-course, “Finding Center.”
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