FROM FEAR TO CURIOSITY
CHOOSING WONDER OVER JUDGMENT…
There is something comforting about believing we have the world figured out. The mind likes clear answers, familiar situations, and timelines that can be neatly placed upon a shelf. We meet someone and decide who they are. We encounter something unfamiliar and quickly determine what it means. In this way, judgment can become a kind of shelter from uncertainty—a way of convincing ourselves that when we name something, we understand it. Yet the true meaning and purpose of life is beyond the boundaries of human understanding. It is a great mystery, wonderfully untidy, and endlessly changing.
As we enter this uncertain and unpredictable world, we are born with a sense of wonder. It is this very wonder which allows us to meet the unknown with a curious mind, instead of a fearful one. Instead of asking, “What should I think about this?” wonder allows us to ask, “What haven’t I seen yet?” Choosing wonder over judgment enables us to see beneath the surface, to experience and learn about new things. It also helps us avoid placing judgment on people whose wounds we cannot see. And as we do this, as we start to let wonder back into our lives, we begin to feel connection to the world again. We start to heal.
Wonder comes from a place of childhood innocence, a place free from doubt or cynicism. It helps us remember that life can be explored and experienced, and that every person is important and precious. When we feel wonder, we are free from the judgment that disconnects us. We understand that every situation contains a backstory we don’t know, and that perspectives can change and transform over time. And when we embrace wonder, we allow ourselves to encounter life as beautifully diverse, powerfully connecting, and overflowing with love.
Meeting the unknown with an open heart…
As humans, we have an inborn reaction to the unknown based on survival. In our deep past, the unknown could often indicate a threat or danger. As a result, the unfamiliar was typically greeted with apprehension and fear. It would be avoided, fought against, shunned. And although we no longer live during times when the unknown could mean disaster, we still feel this inner fear, too quick to make judgments on what we do not know or understand yet. But through the eyes of an open soul, welcoming the unknown means opening the doorway to a greater understanding of life and a higher awareness of consciousness.
When we encounter a person we do not understand, or a belief that feels unfamiliar or unusual to us, this inner instinct may initially feel resistant. But by keeping the heart open, even when the mind would rather run and hide, we gain new insights, new understanding, and a chance to expand our perception of reality. Instead of judgment, we learn to quiet the mind and become curious. Soon, the unfamiliar starts to feel less like a threat and more like an exciting new awareness about life. We feel more connected, and have a stronger sense of empathy towards others. We start to feel that childhood wonder about the unknown again.
The truth is, every single person we encounter carries a story we cannot see—a lifetime of experiences that influences how life is perceived. When we remember just how little of another person’s journey we can actually see, judgment just feels unfair. As we become more curious, the more we are willing to give others patience and grace. We pause before assuming we know all about their intentions. We start to listen to the experiences of others instead of assigning labels or judgments. And we leave room for greater awareness and spiritual growth within ourselves. .
The human experience is never fixed. People can change and grow. Awareness can deepen and transform. Our own understanding can expand beyond the boundaries of we thought was possible. Where we were once fixed and stubborn, we start to soften and feel more open to understanding the viewpoints of another. We start to see things from more perspectives than just our own. And by practicing being open to uncertainty, we can meet life as it arrives. Instead of feeling fear, we feel wonder. Instead of running, we feel curious to find out more.
GIVE UNDERSTANDING TIME…
It’s important to know that it’s ok to give ourselves grace when opening the soul to the unknown. Understanding takes time, and change can feel overwhelming and even scary at first. The mind often wants to know what will happen beforehand so we can predict and prepare for what is to come. By resisting the urge to judge a situation or a person, we allow our perceptions to stay open to new information and ideas. We start reacting with compassion in circumstances where we would normally argue, turn away, or ignore.
Growth takes time, and what appears one way today may look very different with more understanding and awareness, and as perspectives change. Remaining open to uncertainty before knowing the outcome means putting trust that what the Divine brings into our lives has meaning and purpose, and is meant to be. And as we allow life to unfold without fear, we open the soul to what will help us develop conscious awareness.
Put it into practice:
REFLECT BEFORE ASSUMING:
Without all the information, we cannot fully understand the whole picture. Before automatically assuming something about a person, situation, or experience, notice whether your mind is creating a story to explain what you don’t know. Separating what you actually know from what you imagine can prevent uncertainty from becoming judgment.
EXPLORE THE UNFAMILIAR:
Desensitizing ourselves to unfamiliar situations can really help replace fear with the knowledge gained through experience. Regularly step outside of your comfort zone by learning about another culture or spiritual tradition. Set your intention on understanding instead of evaluating.
ALLOW THE UNKNOWN TO EXIST:
At the end of the day, uncertainty will exist in all our lives from time to time. Instead of trying to avoid or ignore the unknown, or fight against it, take a slow breath and affirm to yourself, “I do not need to know everything today. I can remain open to what has not yet been revealed to me.” Allow yourself to find peace in knowing that clarity will arrive in time.
SEE THE UNKNOWN AS AN ADVENTURE:
Allow yourself to transform fear-based anxiety into curiosity, excitement, and discovery. You never know what new life lessons and enlightening experiences may be in store!
Remember: embracing the unknown and reacting to life with curiosity and wonder leads to better understanding, deeper connections, and expanded awareness. Although it’s natural to feel reserved and resistant when we encounter uncertainty, allowing ourselves to become open to the unknown and even welcome it helps us grow and learn. Because uncertainty is not the same thing as danger. In fact, it can actually be sacred space were we are free to explore again, just like children, where the true potential of our journey is allowed to emerge.
As we become open to the mystery of life, and trust that we may not always know the answer or the destination, we expand our ability to perceive. We no longer look at life through a tiny pinhole, but are able to see more, understand more, and ascend to new heights of awareness. We loosen our grip on controlling what we experience, and rediscover that life that was never meant to be completely predictable. It is meant to be a voyage of discovery. Through uncertainty, we uncover our full potential—to manifest love and light into existence.