Fear of Change

What is it about change that freaks us out so much? Well, the answer is simple: we don’t really know. What I mean by that is, we don’t really know what is on the other side of change, and because of that, we fear it. So perhaps, then, fear of change is really just the fear of the unknown.

We try our best to make educated guesses, to hypothesize with as much precision as we possibly can, and to make plans and control details so that we can try to accurately predict our outcomes. But no matter how hard we try, unless we have a crystal ball, we won’t really know for sure until we get there.

So how, then, do we take the fear and anxiety out of the unknown enough to take a leap of faith, especially when the future seems unclear? It’s simple: we learn to trust. Trust is where it’s at because when we trust that everything will turn out well, we can relax our need to know how and just go with the flow as we make the most of our present moments.

But how can we learn to trust, because it doesn’t always come so easily to everyone, especially those who are slightly cynical by nature? Well here’s where it gets a little sticky. In order to have trust you also need to have a little faith, but faith doesn’t always seem like a practical solution. With faith we are asked to trust in something bigger than ourselves, and believe in things that we do not yet know. But what if you are not certain of this higher source that guides you? Is faith, then, only reserved for the “faithful”?

For those of us who naturally believe in forces and energies that are not always obvious to the naked eye, faith comes a lot more easily. But for those who are a bit more skeptical, it can be that much more challenging to surrender their doubts and worries to a higher perspective. However, what if instead of thinking of faith as a religious or dogmatic philosophy, we simply start to have a little more faith in ourselves?

How many challenging situations have you found yourself in throughout your lifetime so far? You’re still here, right? Otherwise you wouldn’t be reading this blog. So if you are still here that must mean that you managed to overcome all of the obstacles you’ve experienced in your life thus far. So what makes you think that you can’t do it again if needed? Consequently, if you find yourself unable to have faith in a higher power then, at the very least, perhaps you can manage to have some faith in your personal strength and resilience.

Ask yourself right now, what is it about change that scares you the most? What are you afraid will happen if you let your guard down and allow yourself to go with the flow a little bit more? Well, if you fear losing control, I have news for you, you’re not really in control anyway when you are attached to specific outcomes. Now, that does not mean that you don’t have any control over your circumstances. It just means that when you are attached to only one way of doing things you become very inflexible and unable to adapt if things don’t go exactly as you planned. As such, to truly be in control you need to actually surrender some control and allow yourself to just flow.

Think of a river, for example, and how it adjusts to its environment, yet also makes new paths using its strength and will. Or think of a plant that cracks through a concrete foundation to grow strong regardless of the hard shell it needed to transcend. Remember that you are no different; you are just as strong if you allow yourself to be.

So what really would happen if you took a leap of faith? Well, I’ll tell you what. As long as you believe in yourself, in your resiliency, and in your ability to shift, adapt, and create, you will be just fine. At worst, you will learn something (knowledge is power). And at best, you will be happier and more fulfilled than you ever dreamed. So what do you truly have to lose?

So whether you choose to have faith in a Divine power that guides you, or you simply choose to believe in yourself, either way, change (or the unknown) can be a good thing if you know what you truly want (even in essence), and you allow yourself the freedom to enjoy your journey.