Consider the warning a flight attendant gives shortly after the plane lands and begins to taxi toward the terminal: “beware that items in overhead compartments may have shifted during the flight.”
Or think about the level of impact that can hinge on a slight shift in the track of a hurricane.
And God forbid any shifts occur in the tectonic plates deep beneath the surface.
But shift happens; it’s part of life. Sometimes despite our best efforts, sometimes in what looks like our favor, oftentimes to our surprise, but always for our learning.
That last part has taken me a long time to grasp: shifts - particularly those that occur in the bedrock of long-held beliefs - produce learning.
Emotional responses to these shifts, on the other hand, can serve as the surface indicators that something deeper is at work. In the past, I’ve responded to shifts with resistance:
- “Shame on you, those questions go against the tribe…”
- or “That’s not how you were raised…”
- or “But what will so-and-so think?”
Meanwhile, my emotions are matching the strain of the delta between my shifting internal perspective and current state/surroundings. Bottom line: outright resistance to these kinds of shifts didn’t serve me well.
Instead, I’ve come to adopt the posture of a curious observer:
- “Interesting...who might I become if I follow that thread?”
- “I hadn’t noticed that before...what changes might I make if I explore this further?”
- “That’s new...what would a realignment around this look like?”
This approach has generated not only a healthier version of myself, but also a plethora of new conversations and relationships. “Wow! You’ve been working through this too? Tell me more…”
Shift happens. Get curious about it:)
