Each week in The Wisdom of Change blog series, I share the original artwork and unpack the insights and meaning behind one of the 44 cards in The Wisdom of Change oracle deck.
This week’s card is 10 Expand
The idea of ‘expansion’ when I’m already feeling under pressure is one that causes great resistance in me. Caught up in a demanding day to day routine and the minutia of a never ending ‘to do list’, it is easy to resist further demands on my time and attention. Life starts to feel small and constricted. Passions go on the back burner. I reach for ‘props’ such as treat foods and unresourceful inner dialogue, I feel ‘less than’ and concoct stories of ‘poor me’. I imagine myself as ‘put upon’, not far enough ahead and unsurprisingly, wind up feeling stuck and frustrated.
But the truth be told, being busy in a way that feels draining, is a sign of avoidance. We always have time for what we prioritise. If we are prioritising things that make us feel bad, it may be wise to stop and investigate further.
Change happens incrementally over time and on a number of levels; physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually and sexually. The personal change process is demanding, multifaceted and interrelated. It takes a lot out of us, but it sets us free. It requires us to be courageous and curious when we want to stay safe and small. It demands that we identify, explore and push against self-imposed and societally suggested boundaries. It is uncomfortable and counterintuitive, yet exciting and life affirming. It triggers us and frustrates us, but simultaneously fills us with hope and joy. When we get close to a ‘breakthrough’ our subconscious kicks up a storm and all too often, we talk ourselves into turning back. In so doing, we stay small and remain within our comfort zone. We keep our lives restricted and our soul longing for more when we play small.
When we feel frustrated at our apparent lack of progress towards our desires, the only way out is to expand.
What aspects of your life have you not yet explored?
Which of your unresourceful beliefs have you not yet challenged?
Are you making wise choices in all areas of your experience, or are you resisting facing what is craving your attention?
What we resist persists, so go ahead and expand into what is keeping you constricted. Push against your own limits, because when you remain inside your comfort zone, it begins to close in on you.
I invite you consider using the energy of curiosity to aid your expansion. It has a rather charming, ‘childlike explorer’ feel to it. Harnessing the spirit of your curious inner child, try something on for size. Give yourself permission to simply open your mind and explore. Consider embracing a new idea as though you are trying on a new garment; you can always take it off if it doesn’t fit or if you don’t like it.
When I’m stuck, I like to dare myself to do something new; something that makes me sweat a little at the thought. Something that feels edgy, uncomfortable in a tantalising kind of way; something that maybe feels a little taboo. Thoughts that feel this way are an invitation from your inner knowing to explore deeper; to go there. Could you give yourself permission to break new ground and chart new territory?
Because what got you here won’t get you there as the old saying goes.
When we allow ourselves to ‘get curious’, we start to shake at self-imposed limits and ask ourselves great quality questions.
Answering great quality questions leads to new areas of research and this in turn, uncovers new perspectives.
New perspectives uncover hitherto unexplored insights.
Growth and profound personal change from this vantage point are inevitable.
So, go ahead and gift yourself permission to expand… really, think about it; what have you got to lose?
Much love my fellow explorer and feel free to share with me what you discover 🙂
I hope you’ve enjoyed this week’s connection to your inner wisdom.
As always, I’d love to hear your comments below.
If you’d like to learn more about The Wisdom of Change oracle deck you can find out more here.
If you'd like to find out more about a Wisdom of Change reading with Wendy please click here.