“I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go. My own wisdom and that of all about me seemed insufficient for that day.” Abraham Lincoln
I believe that, in human relationships, trust needs to be earned. I also believe that trust in something more powerful than I am is a choice.
To be clear, I am not talking about religion or any particular ideology or specific supernatural belief. For me, it is about the obvious – that my power as a living, breathing human is limited. Very limited indeed.
The Facts As I See Them
“Just the facts, ma’am.” Sgt. Joe Friday
Thus, for me, the choice to trust in something more powerful than I rests on these two facts:
- I am not the source or the creator of the universe.
- I do not have power over much of anything outside of myself.
What I’m saying is that there seems to be a life force, an energy that operates in this universe, that has nothing to do with my human power or genius… or anyone else’s for that matter.
Therefore, trusting in something greater is about recognizing that life in all its aspects goes on without any intervention on my part.
The Power of Choice
“I discovered I always have choices and sometimes it’s only a choice of attitude.” Judith M. Knowlton
While I know that I don’t have power over life on earth or other people and situations, I do have the power of choice in my own life. I can decide to do or not do. I can choose to act or not act. I can opt to change my point of view or be trapped in my old ways of thinking about myself, others and the world.
However, the outcome of my decisions and choices is not knowable or controllable. Things will be as they will be. I can only do my best to cope, even thrive, in whatever circumstances in which I find myself.
Taking Action – Letting Go – Accepting What Is
“Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” Martin Luther King, Jr
However matters may evolve, I can only do my bit, my best. But then I need to let go and trust that a higher good will be served at some point or at some stage. Things will work out, but perhaps not as I wish or expect.
I would call this result “reality”. While I’m not a huge fan of reality, I have come to see that I must accept “what is”, and then fit myself to it. In this way I am relieved of much of the burden that I carry.
The Great Abyss
“Sorrow looks back, Worry looks around, Faith looks up” Ralph Waldo Emerson
For me, the alternative is not all that attractive. I call it the Great Abyss.
The Great Abyss (and we might each of us have our own version of it) is being bogged down in my own thinking – those roiling thoughts, catastrophic imaginings and fear-based reactions to the events of the day or the unknowable future.
It is my version of hell – a place I visit less and less often as I practice the art of putting my trust in something more powerful than I.
