Shapeshifting

If there was one big lesson in 2020, it would be making peace with impermanence and becoming friends with uncertainty. Of course I can only speak for myself, but I do believe that we as a collective are currently going through a great transformation.

Also before getting into it, I want to state that I do acknowledge my privileged position in the world during these crazy times. I genuinely hope I manage to deliver my message with enough compassion and kindness to the less fortunate people, people physically in pain, people with no real safety and support around them. However, pain is always subjective and my intention is anything but to belittle or pay disrespect to anyone’s experiences or feelings.

Then, to the point… In life, uncertainty is inescapable and impermanence is the very nature of our entire existence. Growth was never supposed to be easy, I mean how else would we expand and evolve if not through challenge and discomfort? 

Therefore, I am grateful for all that this year has already taught me and all that is to come. Even for the times when doubt in my mind screamed louder than was bearable and the times I thought I’d never stop crying. After all, everything is temporary, and I prefer seeing obstacles as opportunities.

Making peace with uncertainty

In the very beginning on my own journey of self-study, someone wise said that the only thing certain is uncertainty. No matter how much we like to think things are under control, they really never fully are. No matter how much we prepare, life still keeps surprising us in the most unexpected ways. The nature of life is impermanence: everything is in constant flux and we really have no power to make things still in a lasting way. 

Change is everywhere: the seasons are changing, the Moon and Sun and in fact our entire Solar system is in constant move, our bodies are reforming as we age…

We can choose to accept or reject this natural truth. By rejecting it, tension will arise and we will sooner or later find ourselves in disagreement with life itself. The contrary of conflict is harmony. Ask yourself: is this fear-based fight worth losing your peace?

Mindful transitions

Another recent great lesson or theme to work with has been the importance of transitions or to be more spesific, awareness during them. Transformation, recalibration, moving from the old version to the updated one can certainly feel overwhelming, confusing and tiring. It’s also the time when we easily lose our center and feel lost in the winds of change. Life transitions are usually very unpredictable, unfamiliar and just uneasy to cope with.  The challenges of transitions can be seen everywhere. For example in the simple shift of seasons in Nature; Spring/ Fall fatigue and depression are real issues and difficult times for many of us. 

In the times of transition, spending time to strengthen our inner connection is more important than ever: continuous coming-back-to-the-heart will keep us grounded and calm while the actual ground feels too unstable to lean on. It won’t be easy: stepping into the role of a quiet, acceptant witness feels harder than ever when things are moving around us. Practicing self awareness (and allowing yourself some extra care and rest) while transitioning is the key in this process. 

Trusting the unknown

The greatest inspiration for growth, to me, is the metamorphosis of a butterfly. Obviously the caterpillar has no idea what she’s about to turn into, but without questioning or doubt she lives through the necessary phases of growing, releasing, rebuilding and releasing again until finally it’s time to spread her wings for the first time. She still has no clue whether she can fly or not when she fearlessly jumps to the unknown, fully surrendering and trusting that she’ll be carried. And the result is marvelous: a new world of light and freedom to explore.

What we can learn from butterflies is to trust the unknown. Trust, that change is always initially good, and trust that the unknown is something beyond our wildest dreams. No matter how awkward and at times painful it might feel, every step on the journey serves a purpose. It’s an adventure; wild and bumpy at times. What else to expect, when the destination is freedom?

Photos in this post by the one and only Wilma Hetemaj