Thursday, November 5, 2009

The Unknown Zone

Thanks Eunja for the title. I sit here paralyzed, unable to move, frozen. Why? Is it a fear of change? Is it fear of the unknown? As part of getting ready for my journey, I decided to give everything away instead of putting them in storage. I had a moving sale a couple weeks back and was able to sell most things. I have a few things left that I plan on trying to sell through another moving sale. The moving sell was exciting; people were coming through and I got to barter with them. Yes, the New Yorker in me came out and that felt great. Interestingly, I got to meet some fascinating people through this sale. I met two ladies from India. The first gave me some recommendations and tips. We had a great conversation. She ended up buying a candle from me for 20 cents. Woohoo. I think she felt obligated to buy something after our great conversation. The second lady must have preached to me for about an hour. Telling me how she left Hinduism for Christianity and that there is only 1 God. Through her life choice, she had to lose her family. I really felt for her and she warned me that tons of people will try to convince me that their religion is the right one for the path to salvation. I thanked her also for her tips. I can’t remember if she bought anything, she must not have. Well at least I had two great conversations and wonderful tips to remember. So, once the sale was done, I just looked around my home. All alone in a somewhat empty house. Suddenly it felt like this is really going to happen. I am really leaving, but then I got sad. I don’t know why, but the excitement changed into fear and sadness. To know that you are leaving everything and everyone behind even if for a good reason is scary. Change is inevitable, change happens everyday. Without change there would be no life. The alone thing that is certain is change. But why do so many people fear change? In my work, I see people who know what they need to do whether it is leave an abusive spouse, quit alcohol or drugs but yet they are paralyzed and can’t do what they need to do. Why is that? I know deep down in my heart, with every fiber in my being that this is a journey that I need to take. But yet, I have procrastinated and have not done what has needed to be done so I could have left already. I should have been gone in September, but now it is November and I am just finishing up most of the things that needs to be done. I closed down my private practice, so I have so much time on my hands but I haven’t been progressing in my move as I should. Today, I took my car to get an oil change and to see what why it was making this crazy noise. I decided to leave the car and walk home to get some exercise in since it has been some time since I’ve done yoga, belly dance, run, or any form of exercise. On my walk I saw two caterpillars’ at two different points. As I looked at those caterpillars’, I thought about how this insect will go through a metamorphosis and turn into a beautiful butterfly. But before it can be this beautiful gift that is flying free and peacefully it has to first crawl the earth and go through this change. I then thought about my journey and just maybe going through this journey I too will someday soar and feel free. Isn’t that why we are on earth? To be great, to know our infinite wisdom and to be free. Not to be held captive by life, work or poverty.

3 comments:

  1. It's always good to have a healthy dose of fear. I've found that the worst moves I've made in life were the ones where I wasn't afraid. If you're not afraid then you're not taking any risk in to the unknown, which means nothing is changing. Your post made me think of the quote "Change is inevitable, but growth is optional". Alot of us may change with the times but growth (consciousness) is not something most us do. I like your caterpillar story by the way. The kicker is realizing that life/everything is meaningless. But for the short period of time we are in existence we must find/give it meaning. I feel that what you "were told" was going to give your life meaning is not happening as you imagined and now you struggle to find a new meaning of fufillment. It's hard to change our programming :-) It takes time.

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  2. Thanks for your comment Phil. It is interesting that you say life is meaningless and that we must give it meaning. I guess through our life decisions and taking healthy risks in order to grow helps to give life meaning. So many people search for there life purpose or for some meaning in life. In Buddhism we talk about how life is an illusion like a dream and the importance of being present. I guess part of changing our programming is by being present, learning from our experiences and being open to what God or the Universe brings to us.

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  3. So Tomorrow is the day you take flight! Be sure to find a wifi connection quickly to update us on your first week!

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