Blind Spots

Over the years I've learned a lot about how minds, bodies and nervous systems work - you'd think I have it all figured out, that I'm living some highly evolved version of reality where I always know exactly what to do and say, and navigate effortlessly through the rough waters of life. Nope.

Not. Even. Close.

There's theory, and then there's practice.
There's knowledge, and then there's the need to walk the talk, to take my own advice. (Maybe that's the difference between knowledge and wisdom... feels like a post for another day)

No matter how much I know about mind and body, about my mind and body, I will always have blind spots. Places where I don't have the perspective to see clearly, places where old stories and patterns get in my way, places where it feels too uncomfortable or difficult to go.

I'm sure you have your own blind spots as well.

Exposing a blind spot can help you see a problem or challenge in a new light so you can deal with it more effectively. It can validate the way you're feeling about a situation so you can move forward without second-guessing yourself.

And, it can be a rude and intensely uncomfortable awakening when a blind spot gets exposed and we see something we'd prefer not to admit to ourselves. A hard-wired behaviour that has adverse effects on relationships (hello, perfectionism!), or an old wound in need of healing.

With new awareness there can be a moment (or many) when the inner critic uses this information to confirm everything he or she already knew was wrong with us, calling into question our abilities, skills, our inherent value.

We may as well give up now, because obviously, we're not smart enough, creative enough, loving enough, committed enough, etc. to even consider doing the thing, making the change, taking the leap.

But there's a stirring in the soul, in our deepest knowing of ourselves, the whisper of something more that tugs at our sleeve. Over and over again.

In these moments we need to remember that the inner critic has only one perspective, one goal - and that's to keep things from changing.

And when we acknowledge the presence of the inner critic, we get to choose how to respond. Do we listen and stay with the status quo? Or do we ignore the voice of the inner critic and listen more intently to the soul's whisper?

It's difficult to step into that tension between the deepest truth about yourself and your greatest doubts. But I think it's where we grow, heal, create.

And maybe we don't need to jump in with both feet, but we can start by sitting on the edge, dangling a toe in the water, and gently growing our capacity to spend time in that uncomfortable place. And every now and then we can look up, wave to each other, and remember that we're whole, complete, wonderful, and not alone.

What blind spots have you become aware of recently?
Who or what helps you to see your blind spots?
How does your inner critic show up?
What deep truth about yourself is tugging at your sleeve?
How do you want to live that today?
What's one way of dangling your toe in the water?