Stepping into the unknown can be one of the most uncomfortable things to do in life. This is what any leader, entrepreneur, athlete, artist, adventurer, etc. knows yet they continue to move ahead despite the discomfort.
Have you ever had the experience of hearing some words of wisdom say oh… a dozen times… but then it’s that thirteenth time that it took on a much deeper meaning? I was listening to an interview with Deepak Chopra the other day where he said something that I’ve known but this time I heard it in a deeper way— “The known is the rigid patterns of past conditioning. If you want to be free, step into the unknown…the unknown is the field of all possibilities.” In other words, what we know is where we think we are safe and secure; it’s familiar to us. We think it’s more comfortable to stay there because the unknown seems scary; we simply don’t know what will happen—even when staying in this perceived comfort doesnt bring us any joy.
Pema Chodron said it this way, “This moving away from comfort and security, this stepping out into what is unknown, uncharted and shaky—that’s called liberation.”
Liberation…field of unlimited possibilities…doesn’t this sound much more fun or perhaps more empowering??
Stepping into the unknown can be terrifying. Stepping into the unknown can be exhilarating. Some of the best things that I’ve experienced or have learned in life have come from stepping into the unknown. I was afraid… very afraid, but did it anyway.
There are powerful things that you will learn about yourself and what’s possible for you. Things that you wouldn’t otherwise know if you hadn’t kept moving despite the discomfort.
Ultimately, staying stuck feels far worse than venturing into the unknown. What’s your unknown that’s calling you to step into it?
