Time of the Signs
Updated: Dec 25, 2023
"I don't know if I'm unhappy because I'm not free, or if I'm not free because I'm unhappy."
Breathless (1960)
I think we're all looking for freedom in one way or another; emotionally, financially, psychologically, physically, spiritually, potentially all of the above.
When we start making different decisions and our lives begin to transform, and we look around and see the previous versions falling away, it's easy to become discouraged and cynical. And while cynicism is sometimes comedic, it is rarely productive. We are a society built on instant gratification. What often keeps us from developing and sustaining positive habits and behaviors is the lag between our behavioral change and the positive change that we expect to be reflected back to us through our environment.
When we start making different decisions and we start to align to a new frequency, we don't consider the time it takes for the adjustment to be made to our new reality. When our environment does start mirroring our positive changes, the falling away of the things that no longer resonate with the new decisions can appear to be a negative consequence. Much of the time, any positive change will affect several areas of life, and everything gets quiet for a while- reorganizing to match the new trajectory. That's truly the most important yet difficult time to stay consistent, because we're not yet seeing the rewards of these actions. If anything, we're seeing our life dismantle. I would consider this period a void, and during this time we are left to find comfort in trusting our intentions. It is in the unseen, the darkness, the void that this new life conspires and begins to manifest. I think that's why it's often said, "everything you've ever wanted is on the other side of fear." Change requires a level of trust that can be difficult to meet.
It's important to be able to remind ourselves it is okay. And in this moment, everything is okay. If you are reading this right now, I think that's a sure sign that everything is okay. Even if what's being reflected in the world seems far from it. Our ability to recognise that will likely become increasingly important during this time. When things get overwhelming and there's too much information and our electrical systems start feeling the way that telephone poles in Thailand look- we've got to have the ability to bring ourselves back to center. That means drawing our awareness back into our bodies and immediate surroundings and realizing that right here, right now, we are safe. If we can't place our own safety in a given moment, we really can't do anything for anyone else.
I started writing this last night and stumbled upon this brilliant talk this morning. I can't imagine not recommending this discussion, because this is probably the most important video I've ever seen. If you don't watch it now, I highly recommend that you save and circle back to it.
I believe we have entered a period of time in which the cost of inaction is going to be more apparent than ever. We're reaching a tipping point of extremes that we, ourselves, have created, and complacency is no longer an option and was ever only an illusion to begin with. Humanity's predilection for making decisions out of fear has caught up with us. The 'metacrisis' we are facing really comes down to decisions on top of decisions made out of fear, but maybe this is what it takes to finally set aside our differences and come to the conclusion that we are all one species, living on a planet, together.
Something I decided in my own life over the last few years was to become mindful and truly honest with myself when I am making decisions and where those decisions are coming from. Nothing created in fear lasts. I've noticed that fear can even show up disguised as intuition when I'm not cognizant of what's happening in my body. How I've tried mitigating it is to sit with decisions, patiently, because I have found that true intuition and wisdom never feels rushed. It comes in peacefully and feels as light as a feather. It is a gentle knowing. We aren't always granted the space to sit with decisions, but even then, tuning into my body gives me much greater insight into the direction I'm meant to go. The body is an incredible technology that is rarely as celebrated as it should be. Every cell carries deep wisdom, but quieting the mind is a necessary first step to hearing any of it.
Currently inspired by
Film: Breathless (1960)
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