My Journey Into The Unknown

I handed over my passport to the airline agent and she asked where I was going. “I don’t know” was my short response. An awkward pause. She looked at me, I looked at her, smiling. She realized I was serious.

Over the recent holidays, I ran an experiment in learning to let go of control. I asked a friend to pick a place for me to go and not tell me. Inspired by a secret and spontaneous holiday my sister and I had planned for our parents a few years ago, I received a packet of envelopes from my friend on a mid-December evening, with the first one telling me to go to the airport immediately. I proceeded to take one flight after another, and found myself on the other side of the world. Every day or two that followed for the next three and a half weeks, I opened an envelope that told me where to go, where I’d be staying and suggestions for what I may want to do.

The experience was truly a journey into the unknown. Although initially uncomfortable (given how much I naturally like to feel in control), within a week I adjusted and enjoyed not knowing what was around the corner. It was a lesson in learning to trust. Trust my friend. Trust myself. And trust the universe.

Exploring this new environment that I suddenly found myself in taught me a lot about myself. It was as much a journey on the outside as on the inside (that’s why I don’t feel the need to share specifically where I was sent).

For the past several years, I have been setting and sharing a one-word intention with those close to me. Fearless was my intention last year and this journey into the unknown was a satisfying finish for the year.

Trust is my intention for 2019, naturally. Trust in myself, first and foremost. Trust in those around me and trust in the universe.

The one-word intention has served me well over the years. Acting like a North Star, I use it as a tool to help me make small and not so small decisions. Whenever I feel at a fork in the road with different paths, I simply checkin with my intention and the decision becomes obvious.

Friends have started to share with me their one-word intentions for this year. It’s a beautiful way to connect with others and to support one another. Here are a few intentions to help inspire yours….

Acceptance Authentic Awareness Connection Courage Discovery Energy Fearless Freedom Focus Growth Love Passion Play Presence Wisdom

By now, you have likely connected with your intention for the year. Journal on what you feel it means to you now. Share it with someone that you trust. And find a fun way to keep it top of mind.

We do not know what our journey will have in store for us, despite any desires to control everything. Knowing this, having a compass of sorts to help navigate the unknown is helpful.