Do you ever worry? Perhaps a strange question. "Of course, doesn't everyone?" might be your first response. Worrying about something is human, but is it desirable? Especially when it heavily weighs on your mind? Let's take a closer look.

For instance, you might worry about the situation in Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, or Haiti. Or closer to home, you might worry when your child goes on vacation with friends for the first time or when a reorganization at work is announced, and you don't yet know what it means for you specifically. Negative thoughts about what a situation might lead to can then easily take over, to the point where you can only think about that. Perhaps this sounds familiar. As I mentioned, these thoughts and feelings are very human but not desirable; they do not serve anyone. So the question is: what can you do to relate to it differently?

Worrying is generally based on thoughts about events that might happen in the future but have not yet occurred. Moreover, these thoughts are based on fear.

As Lao Tzu so clearly describes in the quote above, the greatest gift or contribution you can make is your own transformation. Perhaps it lies precisely in strengthening your (self-)awareness to maintain your confidence in yourself, in life, and in humanity, focus on what is happening now, be fully present in the moment, and engage with life from a place of inner trust and love.

Easy? No, perhaps not. Necessary? Yes, definitely, and perhaps now more than ever.

I invite you to take this thought with you into the summer and reflect on the following questions:

·         What do you need to (continue to) engage with life with trust and love in these times?

·         What does that require in how you position yourself and relate to everything happening?

And see what insights these questions bring you.

I wish you much strength, love, and joy this summer!

P.S.: ShiftsHappen is taking a summer break. The next TFTW will arrive on Sunday, August 25. Enjoy the summer!