Dear Open Hearted Birth Professionals,

Welcome to a time of massive change and uncertainty! The philosophical side of me reminds me that when we live in the land of "not knowing", then ALL things are possible.  Think about that. When we have no idea how it will turn out we are really free to make choices.  This can be a time of opportunity, a time for introspection, cleansing and expansion. We can look for the potential in this time of change and influence our individual future. It's so optimistic and glowy and YEAH! 

Then there's the emotional side that recognizes that change equals loss, which triggers grief and the emotional journey that accompanies it.  Yet, grief isn't about the emotions, as humans have similar grief cycles. What is individual is that each person goes through a profound identity change. Who you were before is not the same as who you will be once you integrate what happened. So we're all going through a massive identity change that we didn't anticipate and didn't ask for.  

How can we balance both of these perspectives? 

To be open to change and the gifts it brings while acknowledging our unhappiness and resistance about having to do it?  

I call it "Holding The Questions".  

Rather than insisting on firm answers, I consider the questions that the situation poses.

• What is being asked of me?   Truly, really, where am I responsible?
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• What are the feelings I am holding?  Acknowledging each one without engaging with it enables me to find a place of calm.  
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• If I were to tell a five sentence story describing my reality today, what would I say?  Is it a story that calms me and enables me to choose how to act? 
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• How do I want to contribute?