Moving Through Resistance

An unanticipated thing happened in your life. You lost your job. You lost an opportunity. It has changed the landscape, changed the path you had been following. For me, it was losing my job. It came without warning to the hundreds of us who got let go that day.

At first, I was numb. It felt like time stopped, and I was okay with that.

I hoped time would never start again. I had no idea what to do with this new landscape. I didn’t know how to navigate this unknown path ahead of me.

Enter Resistance

When life changes without your permission, the last thing you want to do is deal with whatever’s next. That’s the resistance. And it’s completely normal.

If you bury your head in the sand and avoid it, resistance gets way. But if you acknowledge it, you may find that it can be a companion or like a strong wind against your back. This is how we embrace a growth mindset, seeing resistance not as an obstacle but as part of the journey.

You can do this by getting constructively curious. That means not asking – Why is this happening to me? Taking a constructively curious perspective, you would ask – What can I learn from this?

Unanticipated change can be paralyzing. Recognizing that resistance as a natural response helps bring about acceptance, and that alone can lighten the load.

Hello, Vulnerability

This is a tough one. When we feel vulnerable, we feel exposed and at risk. We want to build those walls and shelter ourselves from any potential attacks. Why? Because we commonly see vulnerability as a weakness.

The truth is vulnerability is a testament to your strength. Opening up and exposing all the messy feelings and thoughts you’re having is a way of showing up for yourself. You’re taking the wheel.

Instead of being at the mercy of your fears and pain, you’re taking back that power by facing them and sharing them – in a safe space and with trusted company.

By opening yourself up to share your experience, you also open yourself up to receiving support and validation. You may find that those around you are facing the same storm or dealing with the same emotions.

In this way, vulnerability isn't about seeking sympathy. It's about connecting with others and sharing the road.

Surrender to Move Forward

In the chaos of change, surrender can often feel like defeat. We think about an army surrendering in a battle. We want to be the winning side of that battle. The thing is, after someone surrenders, we make way for peace.

In the story of your life, surrendering to the change is your pathway to peace. You’re not giving up. You’re surrendering to the notion that not everything can be controlled. You’re not relinquishing power. You’re choosing to go with the flow and be open to what may be coming next.

And I’ve got to tell you, sometimes what comes next is so much better than what we just lost.