When you don’t know what the future holds, anything can happen.

This statement does not have to be daunting; it just often is, but…perspective. Try taking on “anything can happen” as literal; then begin being the creator of your unknown!

Fear of the unknown is a space that welcomes doubt and squashes hope. When operating from fear we typically do things that we believe (or convince ourselves to believe) are protecting ourselves (from the future). For example, if you can’t make a decision, you are stalling to make that decision because of the uncertainty that comes with the change. It’s easier for us to continue down the path of resilience (not make a decision) for the reason of knowing (certainty of current state).

Once upon a time, I did not leave a job that was making me physically ill because, “at least I knew what I was getting myself into each day”. This was what I was telling myself and also what was stopping me from applying to other jobs. I was fearful that the grass wasn’t greener on the other side so I stuck with what I knew. It was the physical illness that finally did me in, I was operating from fear to try and protect myself from whatever else was out there. The fear, in conjunction with the stress of the job undoubtedly made me ill.

When I step outside of my thoughts to see I’m operating from fear, I’ll chuckle under my breath, “You think you have that much power?” It’s not that I think I have power it’s that taking control, or trying to control, is another way fear shows up. So, I laugh due to the many disguises fear takes on and how easily I can fall for it.

Trust that what is on the other side of fear is possibility. The way past fear (for me) is though vulnerability; if you put everything out there, what can be taken from you? Uncertainty is the gateway to possibility. Detach from the negative connotation of uncertainty and bask in opportunity that can arise from trying times.

Globally, we are operating from a space of fear, rightfully so. I don’t want to take away from the situation at hand, because it is scary, it just doesn’t have to be. To help cope with the fear, let’s challenge each other to change our frame: See what’s next and what is as possibility. A chance for us to love differently: Who knew staying away from your parents is showing them love? An opening to start that project you never had time for. An opportunity to spend time with yourself, face inner demons, during a time with limited distractions.

Change the frame so as human beings we come out of this stronger, unified, grateful and full of possibility! Create what happens next; dance with uncertainty.