Wynne Stevens
There exists within us a certain comfort zone beyond which doubt and uncertainty exist. The outer limit of this zone is the point where comfort dissolves and fear begins. We can live in either zone comfortably if we chose…or we can let fear keep us safe within the comfort zone. Step beyond the limits of certainty and experience all the freedom and joy of an unrestrained, creative life.
Beyond these limits there are no comfortable benchmarks or safeguards. Survival requires intuition, faith, creativity and confidence. Here, in this state of doubt and confusion, choices must be made. Actions and direction come not from a foundation of knowledge that has served us in the past but from a sense of discovery of new opportunities that lie ahead if only we trust. Trust in universal guidance…and trust in our own natural abilities. Here is where growth and creativity prosper, unhindered by the fear of failure or the judgments of others. Here is where I want to spend more time.
I am becoming increasingly aware of this point of transition. I am learning to spot the emotions of fear and anxiety as the zone of uncertainty draws near. My wife and I are traveling up the West Coast with no particular route or schedule. Each day of this four-week adventure will be up for grabs – there is no plan…there is no certainty. How far will we travel each day? Where will we stay at night? What if I make a mistake? What can go wrong?
As the end of each day approaches, I begin to sense this uncertainty and the fear that it brings. In an attempt to limit uncertainty I plan hard, I attempt to control the outcome. Where is the map? Let’s go online now and get a hotel reservation for tonight and maybe the next day. What time should we leave? How long will we drive? I am always in the future, never present. Stress and tension invade my being and there is no fun in anticipating a new adventure.
But what would really happen if I ventured beyond the limit of certainty – to a place where the outcome remained in doubt? What exactly am I afraid of? Why do I need to control so much? What’s the worst that could happen?
The desire to control creates a duality: the controller and the environment. There is separation in the desire to acquire power as opposed to connection through acceptance. The more I control, the more controlled I become for there is no way I have any real influence – it’s just an illusion. Growth and evolution are realities. The routines and systems I create for comfort stem from resistance to change, resistance to the uncertainties. They stifle and inhibit me.
Beyond the limit of certainty is that place where options are limitless; where there is absolute freedom and total peace. It is where our creativity originates and where truth lies, untainted by the limits of control, fear and judgment. While I may visualize chaos and uncertainty, it’s only from my perspective. If I look more deeply I see the stability and perfection of all things, a knowing that all is well if I just let it be. So I take a deep breath and plunge into this uncertain zone.
At first it feels uncomfortable. I resist. But I remain because I sense an opportunity for growth here. I slowly let go of this desire to control – just for a moment – just to try it out. Nothing happens. I begin to relax…to mesh with the flow of life…from the inside. I am no longer the controller and I no longer feel the pressure of being controlled. I sense unity and acceptance that all is well despite not knowing what lies ahead. Now I am open to all possibilities – there are no boundaries or illusions and I am free to go in any direction. What exhilaration! What freedom!
As I recognize this desire to control and accompanying anxiety, I want to let it pass through me this time. I welcome it as a part of my personality and ask it kindly to remain in the background so I can experience other sensations and thoughts without interference. I step beyond the limit of certainty into another world where there are options and possibilities of which I could never have dreamed. I am open now and ready for anything. And with each step further into uncertainty and unknowing, my comfort zone expands. There is both personal and spiritual growth that strengthens and comforts. Wherever my foot steps, it will be on the right path.
Creativity hovers beyond the limit of certainty. Doubt begs questions and questions seek answers. Imagination flows in the search for answers as our natural desire to create prospers. Through this process we know our truths…we know ourselves.
Wynne is a freelance graphic designer and former builder specializing in architectural renderings and real estate graphics.
There exists within us a certain comfort zone beyond which doubt and uncertainty exist. The outer limit of this zone is the point where comfort dissolves and fear begins. We can live in either zone comfortably if we chose…or we can let fear keep us safe within the comfort zone. Step beyond the limits of certainty and experience all the freedom and joy of an unrestrained, creative life.
Beyond these limits there are no comfortable benchmarks or safeguards. Survival requires intuition, faith, creativity and confidence. Here, in this state of doubt and confusion, choices must be made. Actions and direction come not from a foundation of knowledge that has served us in the past but from a sense of discovery of new opportunities that lie ahead if only we trust. Trust in universal guidance…and trust in our own natural abilities. Here is where growth and creativity prosper, unhindered by the fear of failure or the judgments of others. Here is where I want to spend more time.
I am becoming increasingly aware of this point of transition. I am learning to spot the emotions of fear and anxiety as the zone of uncertainty draws near. My wife and I are traveling up the West Coast with no particular route or schedule. Each day of this four-week adventure will be up for grabs – there is no plan…there is no certainty. How far will we travel each day? Where will we stay at night? What if I make a mistake? What can go wrong?
As the end of each day approaches, I begin to sense this uncertainty and the fear that it brings. In an attempt to limit uncertainty I plan hard, I attempt to control the outcome. Where is the map? Let’s go online now and get a hotel reservation for tonight and maybe the next day. What time should we leave? How long will we drive? I am always in the future, never present. Stress and tension invade my being and there is no fun in anticipating a new adventure.
But what would really happen if I ventured beyond the limit of certainty – to a place where the outcome remained in doubt? What exactly am I afraid of? Why do I need to control so much? What’s the worst that could happen?
The desire to control creates a duality: the controller and the environment. There is separation in the desire to acquire power as opposed to connection through acceptance. The more I control, the more controlled I become for there is no way I have any real influence – it’s just an illusion. Growth and evolution are realities. The routines and systems I create for comfort stem from resistance to change, resistance to the uncertainties. They stifle and inhibit me.
Beyond the limit of certainty is that place where options are limitless; where there is absolute freedom and total peace. It is where our creativity originates and where truth lies, untainted by the limits of control, fear and judgment. While I may visualize chaos and uncertainty, it’s only from my perspective. If I look more deeply I see the stability and perfection of all things, a knowing that all is well if I just let it be. So I take a deep breath and plunge into this uncertain zone.
At first it feels uncomfortable. I resist. But I remain because I sense an opportunity for growth here. I slowly let go of this desire to control – just for a moment – just to try it out. Nothing happens. I begin to relax…to mesh with the flow of life…from the inside. I am no longer the controller and I no longer feel the pressure of being controlled. I sense unity and acceptance that all is well despite not knowing what lies ahead. Now I am open to all possibilities – there are no boundaries or illusions and I am free to go in any direction. What exhilaration! What freedom!
As I recognize this desire to control and accompanying anxiety, I want to let it pass through me this time. I welcome it as a part of my personality and ask it kindly to remain in the background so I can experience other sensations and thoughts without interference. I step beyond the limit of certainty into another world where there are options and possibilities of which I could never have dreamed. I am open now and ready for anything. And with each step further into uncertainty and unknowing, my comfort zone expands. There is both personal and spiritual growth that strengthens and comforts. Wherever my foot steps, it will be on the right path.
Creativity hovers beyond the limit of certainty. Doubt begs questions and questions seek answers. Imagination flows in the search for answers as our natural desire to create prospers. Through this process we know our truths…we know ourselves.
Wynne is a freelance graphic designer and former builder specializing in architectural renderings and real estate graphics.
