The Courageous Life Practicing Courage #45: Making friends with uncertainty and embracing positive possibilities
This past week clinical psychologist and bestselling author Dr. Meg Jay was back on the show.
One of the big themes we explored together was uncertainty,
And how we can experience more ease in the face of it.
Meg offered a useful reminder that when we experience uncertainty
research shows that our amygdala becomes more active.
The amygdala being the part of the brain that is often casually referred to as the "alarm bell."
Simply put, when things are uncertain we don't tend to like it very much.
- We want a plan.
- We want to feel like we are in control.
- We want to know.
- We want answers.
Part of the reason for this is that sitting in uncertainty can feel vulnerable,
And by definition when we are vulnerable we are more susceptible to harm,
and more open to attacks.
As a result our body and mind have evolved to respond to uncertainty accordingly.
Our perspective can narrow.
The mind can race.
Our heart rate can increase, and we can become more contracted as we enter into a 'threat state'.
Knowing this can be helpful in that it gives us greater awareness.
But what’s even more helpful (at least in my view) is using that awareness to explore ways we can strengthen our ability to relax into uncertainty.
To explore ways we can find ease in not knowing as we learn to make friends with uncertainty.
This is like a superpower for our time.
Today’s practice will offer up a couple of ideas for how to practically grow this capacity in ourselves.
If you want to dive deeper into this topic I would encourage you to check out the interview with Meg Jay (if you haven't already):
Or pick up a copy of her book: The Twentysomething Treatment: A Revolutionary Remedy for an Uncertain Age
Thank you for your practice.
I look forward to continuing together next Thursday!
-Joshua
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