Doubt as a Dam: How Trust Expands Our Lives
Hello beautiful you,
How are you feeling today?
As September is zooming by, I find myself reflecting on a whirlwind August - wrapping up summer, adjusting to new routines with the boys back in school, and now feeling a little more in flow with our new schedule and changes.
I recently had the chance to revisit Colorado, this time without the kids, and enjoyed a serene trip with my mom. Our time together was filled with laughter, hiking, and restful moments in the mountains. I also visited a dear friend and we enjoyed another amazing concert at Red Rocks - Brandi Carlile with the Colorado Symphony. (Check out her rendition of Hallelujah!)
One highlight of this trip with my mom was a magical afternoon spent in a hammock after a long hike, surrounded by the beauty of nature, before stumbling upon an impromptu open mic night in the mountains. This was just one example of how moments seemed to appear magically for us and in the right timing.
The simplicity and spontaneity of our trip reminded me of the importance of flowing with life.
In the midst of these reflective times, I’ve been thinking about doubt - how it can act as a dam, obstructing the natural flow of our lives. We’re often taught to seek answers outside ourselves, or that we need to control every outcome of our experience. A trip can teach you how to go with the flow, because you plan it all out, but there will still be obstacles along the way. (Like when our phone charger wasn’t working and both our phones died before getting directions to our Airbnb, or when we realized the rear brakes needed fixing on our second day of vacation.)
We could have spent the trip fretting about the things that could have and did go “wrong”, but we chose to focus on what was going well. We let go of doubt and trusted it was all going to work out for us as it needed to.
There are times when we have to use doubt - but using it to doubt ourselves or keep us in a state of “what if’s” and fears, clouds our decision making. It keeps us in a more stressful state and upsets our nervous system.
Practicing being in the moment and going with the flow requires deep trust and faith in ourselves and in life. When we lack this trust, we resist change and let expectations steal our joy. We try to over control our lives. That’s a very overwhelming and stressful way to live. (And it’s something our hustle culture promotes.)
Fear and doubt constricts us, while love and trust expands us.
Our recent trip could have been overshadowed by minor setbacks. Instead, by focusing on what was working well, staying open and keeping a positive attitude, we adapted with ease.
Life’s involves things like unexpected car maintenance, changing weather, and things not going our way. Our ability to adapt comes from trusting ourselves and trusting how our day-to-day life is unfolding for our greatest good and growth.
This September, as we transition from summer to fall (or winter to spring), take time to reflect on where you’re focusing your energy.
Are you allowing doubt to create a dam, or are you practicing trust and choosing to move forward even when uncertainty creeps in? Are you choosing to focus more on fear and what isn’t going well, or love and what you’re grateful for? Can you notice the difference in how you feel when you focus on fear or love, doubt or trust? What does it feel like in your body and in your energy levels?
The universe reflects back what we focus on - so pay attention this month to what you’re focusing on.
Let go of the need to control every detail and align yourself with the flow of life.
Your hearts know the way forward. It’s your job to learn how to listen to it and trust where it’s leading you next.
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Keep practicing trusting yourself and your life. You are right where you need to be and you don’t have to work so hard to control the outcome. That’s what flow is for. I hope you can release doubt and trust that you are being guided.
You are EXPANDING and I’m excited to see where that takes you next!
Learn more about Your True Nature: 44 Nature-Inspired Affirmations to Ignite Your Soul here.
With love,
Shannon
A Free Spirit Life | www.ShannonKinneyDuh.com