Do you remember the last time you had an epiphany? It’s a pivotal moment. Not just an “oh, I get it” but a deep, stirring inner shift. You’re minding your own business, doing whatever you’re doing, when all of a sudden -- something hits you deep in your gray matter. It can feel as though you’ve stepped through a door or jumped into a portal; you instantly have a new level of understanding about something that’s been percolating in your subconscious.
Sometimes we hold these moments at bay. The intensity can feel like a surge of sorts, coming on suddenly and strong. I’ve said to myself, “I don’t have time for this.” Staying firmly in your lane is absolutely an option and that’s where the work is truly done. Epiphanies take some unpacking, at least for me, and I like to give myself a few days to see what comes up.
Here’s the thing: you don’t get to decide when this event will occur. You can’t schedule an upleveling. You can consciously choose practices and actions that will help you find your way to a deeper understanding; however, if you knew when to expect an epiphany, the impact would be far lessened. Part of what makes it memorable is the element of surprise.
So what *can* you do in order to improve your chances of having a revelation? Start with openness and curiosity. @thecuriositycoach wrote about this yesterday (Tuesday), and you should read that post.
Openness is a position of receiving. When you are open, you are also vulnerable. That’s the balancing act, right? That can be pretty uncomfortable, especially if prior moments of openness resulted in shame, sadness, fear or any combination of those. Being open is a risk. Staying open is brave AF. Simple, not easy.
Curiosity is a position of wonder. Wonder as in questioning the truth or validity or reality of anything, and also as in eager anticipation. One of my favorite words is “wonderful,” because I love the feeling it evokes for me. I get a similar feeling when I watch a fireworks show. :)
Darling Joy Warrior, in one way or another, everything that happens in your life has a gift for you. Awakening isn’t something that happens once - it will keep circling back around. You don’t have to hop on that bus and when you choose to, believe me, you can’t miss it. It’s a mental download that can stop you in your tracks for a moment. Then you shake your head and blink your eyes, maybe stretch and take a deep breath - almost like you’ve just woken up.
Welcome - we’re glad you’re here.
Joy Warrior, I’m curious: what word is your go-to response when you’re firing on all eight cylinders and someone asks, “how are you?”
Comments