I’ve been talking a lot about faith these days … pondering and writing about the big questions … and one thing is for sure, faith is a challenging topic – both in definition and in practice.
Last month’s blog was all about faith and exploring what it really means. Here’s a little excerpt:
I always considered faith a positive word, but now I see it as more neutral. In fact, the direction of my thoughts – along with the momentum (consistency) and intensity (emotion) of that thought is what makes it positive or negative. In other words, we can anticipate good things, or we can worry. Both are a kind of faith.
This month we are diving a little deeper into what we put our faith in and understanding where true security lies. Hopefully you’ll discover some fresh, supportive perspectives. Because changing the trajectory of our thoughts (and accompanying intense feelings) isn’t so easy when our nervous system is freaking out.
So much of the work I do for my clients is KNOWING and seeing and trusting all is well for them despite all outward appearances to the contrary. They “borrow” my confidence in them til before they know it, they are riding that ‘faith bike” all by themselves. Nothing is more thrilling!
I see that person clearly – all their gifts and dreams and fears – and it is so easy to KNOW they will travel far beyond where they are now… that they will, without a shadow of a doubt, get the perfect job, mate, health outcome, business opportunity … whatever it is that is calling to them. Or something better.
This is a super power of mine – TO KNOW these things for others – as easily as I know my own name. I have Faith enough to share.
And … I ain’t gonna lie … it’s way more challenging to have faith on my own behalf – particularly on the days where things aren’t easy – when there’s disappointment or heart-ache, a low ebb in my energy, confidence, focus or motivation – those days when everything feels just out of reach.
I think we all have days when we feel insecure about who we are, what we’re doing, what it’s all about, and why we bother … the age old questions that creep up on most of us.
What do we do then?
First, I ask for help. I borrow the faith of others who support me (all good coaches have coaches) and I use the practices I teach to really test my old thinking and calm my nervous system. (there’s a deep toolbox – from journaling, conscious conversations, prayer and meditation, reading or listening to inspired works, walking in nature, dancing, stretching– the list of possibilities is endless).
I remember all the times I have been in a tough place before and remember how things all came together perfectly – in ways I could never imagine with my own little mind.
Over time, the things that used to scare me don’t feel so frightening. And even though there’s always something new to freak me out a little, I am more willing to take some risks because I have evidence that things have worked out before. Even if I fell short of where I wanted to land, I was still farther ahead.
And still, we humans are wired to look for security and guarantees.
One thing I know is this: true security only comes when we know – really KNOW – that whatever storm blows through, we will be ok. Beyond OK.
Maybe we will be renewed, refreshed, delighted at what comes out of what appears to be a terrible situation – even a situation that initially causes us pain and grief as we let go of how it used to be.
The Guest House
(Translated by Coleman Barks)
This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.
Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.
Perhaps the house on the surface may be swept away, but strength is knowing the foundation is intact, that the spiritual ground we stand on is firm, unwavering, and deep. Deeper even, than our own Earth’s surface that sometimes shakes and quakes and upends everything we’ve known to be true – literally and metaphorically.
Most of us have experienced life-shattering traumas whether it was a natural disaster or a health scare, losing a job, or a long-term relationship. Summer brought many such events to my attention – including terrifying forest fires that threatened a dear friend’s property, the breakdown of water mains in our city, a family member’s cancer diagnosis, job losses for others, mishaps and miscommunications and heartaches of all kinds – all part of life’s adventures.
When these excruciating events happen – what do we put our faith in?
It turns out, we have a choice. We can decide to look for good. Maybe not on Day 1 – or Year 1 in some cases. That’s when we lean on others for their faith, balance and perspective.
But, in between those times, we can train ourselves to grow and change our thinking.
For me, the last many years have been all about cultivating a faith in something far more permanent than a job, a house, a relationship, a situation … because, even though we learn to trust in others and undertake many long term ventures that are nourishing, supportive, inspiring and enlivening, they are always bound to change.
Our faith has to go deeper than the temporary thing we’re working on manifesting.
Our trust must reach past those transitory people, places and things to the Divine Intelligence that is operating through us every moment. We must look to that amazing creative energy that designed our world in the first place– the whole Universe, in all its wonder and elegant precision – the Great Unfolding of Life Itself and its unstoppable expression in limitless forms (like stars, sunsets, exquisite flowers, me and you, and all the things we create ) … the profound and immutable law of Cause and Effect, and the beautiful life force that lives on and on and on, creating anew, ever evolving and expanding, shaping new forms and adventures for us to play in.
I have faith in this – this is the unshakeable foundation – the grand miracle that goes beyond all manifesting feats, as amazing and joyful as they are.
We all want to create amazing relationships, jobs, homes, wealth and so on. This creative energy is the stuff we’re here to play with … just as the Divine is playing in its own infinite sandbox.
In fact, I like thinking that there’s an eternal limitless buffet – a beautiful table that’s set for all of us, no matter who we are. And I have faith in the fact that it’s up to me to partake in the feast – to choose which platters I will dine from.
I’ve learned that my history (personal and generational) can influence how much I am willing to enjoy. So I do the challenging work of upgrading my faith, and stretching my capacity to taste it all.
And, I have faith that as soon as I have sampled one dish or manifested one desire, a new and expansive quest will arise to call me forward. There is no end to that astounding buffet!
What I’ve boiled it down to is this: each one of us must decide for ourselves, whatever our faith tradition, that life is unfolding in our favor, even when it appears otherwise – that the great beating creative heart of the Universe is GOOD.
This is the very thing we must KNOW and allow others to KNOW for us when we can’t see through our limited perspective – on those challenging days when our tiny little human mind, blinded by our own stories and history, convinces us that we are unlucky and life sucks.
I have faith in the love behind the many hands that held me through a gentle ride with cancer, through some tough economic times, some intense parenting moments, some heart-breaks in relationships and other disappointments over the years.
Through that love, I found my faith – not that everything will work out the way my limited little mind wants – but that there is a great life unfolding in perfection and I can trust in that.
What do you think?
I would love to hear from you … what are you putting your faith in? Is it supporting you?
Please comment and share your thoughts!