Being with the Unfolding of the Unknown!
My sweat-soaked body wants nothing more than to jump into the turquoise waters of the alpine lake that suddenly appears as we crest a ridge. “Where’s the pass?!” I exclaim again, feeling the curiosity within me override the urge to pause our upward trek for a quick swim. “I keep thinking we’ll see it around the next corner, but I still don’t know where the pass is!”, we laugh as we keep hiking into the unknown and (hopefully) in the general direction of the elusive mountain pass.
Rather than feeling frustrated or hopeless, I find myself pulled around the next turn of the trail and over the next ridge full of wonder. What will we find? Will the mysterious pass finally materialize in five minutes or twenty? Or will we find another sparkling gem-colored lake? Perhaps we’ll find more encouraging wildflowers! Or other hikers with whom we can share smiles! The excitement to discover what will unfold from the unknown of each moment is palpable, filling my exhausted body with energy and tickling my soul with full presence. When we do top the pass some time and many new discoveries later, we collapse into delighted laughter as yet another gorgeous view greets us on the other side of the ridge. Awe at the beauty of it all stuns me as I think “This! This is what life is about.”
My week backpacking in the high sierra nevada mountains of California offered me so many lessons, a plethora of gifts that I’ll be processing for awhile. One such sweet lesson is the above “this” from hiking up many high elevation passes. “This” is more than being outside and seeing stunning views; “this” is choosing to greet the unfolding of the unknown with curiosity and wonder.
Instead of trying to control or predict or protect myself from what will happen next (as I have done so often in my life), I was able to simply be with what happened in each moment. I found myself greeting what was revealed next with an open heart and a true desire to explore what was happening, what wanted to happen. What a joy to be so present with reality, even in the most challenging of experiences - sweaty, out-of-breath, carrying an extremely heavy pack, exhausted.
Landing back in my cushy life with showers and beds, I find myself wondering what will support me to keep bringing curiosity to the unfolding of the unknown in my front-country life? How do I keep my heart open to what’s happening, even when the world tosses struggle and overwhelm my way? What can I do to be present with the beauty and the challenges of life?
These questions are so alive in my life right now, as I imagine they are for many of us as we navigate our current world. I’m still very much in the process of discovering and experimenting with possible answers. Here’s some of what I’m landing on so far:
Less time using technology: more time for connection. Without technology my mind slows down and my awareness expands. The more time I spend on my phone the faster my mind moves, therefore I’m trying to limit my screen time. Connecting with people I trust and with whom I feel safe allows me to share the wonder. It’s contagious!
Coming back to the embodied feeling of openness within myself. Taking a “somatic snapshot” of what wonder and curiosity feel like in my body creates something I can return to when things feel overwhelming. For me, the somatic snapshot is an openness in my chest - as if the love in my heart is ever expanding as well as deeply rooted through my core and through my feet. What does your somatic snapshot of wonder and curiosity feel like?
Pausing to take a breath and choose curiosity. Mentally (or verbally) asking myself “what can I learn from this experience or interaction?” and “can I let go of resisting what is happening?” Creating space with my breath and intentionally engaging with curiosity helps so much!
Moving my body. Whether it’s wiggling, going for a walk, dancing to music in my kitchen, or stretching, moving my body helps to clear out the tenseness that collects when I start to control or resist what is happening, or try to anticipate what could come from the future. Shake it out!!
Laughter. Delighting in whatever is happening helps so much - whether it’s being covered in flies or seeing the most exquisite Columbine flowers, life is wondrous and ridiculous! Reveling in the strange beauty of it all rather than complaining naturally shifts us into a curious mindset.
Of course, in many ways front-country life holds many more challenges than backcountry life. Nonetheless, my intention is to continue to explore how to greet the unfolding of my life with as much presence, curiosity, and open-heartedness as possible.
How about you?
What supports you to choose curiosity and wonder?
How do you stay present with whatever is happening?
I’d love to know and to learn with you as we ride the wild waves of this life!
Here are some photos of the ridiculous beauty and challenge of life on my trip.
