Foggy Thoughts
This time of year, it’s a regular occurrence to have foggy mornings. I was driving to work the other day & it was extremely foggy as I left home. I could hardly see the end of the driveway. As I drove onto the highway, the fog dissipated, and I could see dark figures in the fog a distance away. A little further along, and the foggy denseness had changed so it was almost a mist – not quite clear but I could see a long way off. By the time I reached my destination, the fog had lifted, and it was clear skies.
It got me curious & I started to think about us – as humans – and our journeys in life. I started to compare my learning on a particular topic from when I start the journey, when I’m in the midst of the chaos, and when I am further along the path. I also contemplated whether it made a difference to my willingness to learn if I chose the ‘topic’ or if it was thrust upon me. Quite an interesting revelation for me.
When we are learning new things – given new information on something we feel we already know – sometimes there can be a ‘heavy fog’ within and around us. We are mired in the comfort of what we think we know, & sometimes closed off to adding new possibilities. Other times, it’s simply an overwhelm of data to take in and process, thus adding to the brain fog we may experience. This heaviness can deter us & we don’t stay the course but rather we detour back to our comfort zone. At other times we may be shaken to wake up that inquisitive nature within us and persevere the fog to learn something new or different.
As we lean in to learn – with an open mind – the fog can begin to dissipate. We can start to see signs, symbols, figures, and contrasts in what we think we know and what is now being presented to us to challenge our learning, thinking, and believing. This process can hasten our healing and growth.
Further along as we continue the pursuit of what lies beyond the veil of what we think we know – the fog can further lessen, giving us greater & greater opportunity to see further. It can open our hearts and minds to new possibilities that we didn’t even know existed before the journey. It can also close us off and thicken the fog if we don’t use our ability to discern and decide what resonates within us. This is an integral piece of our learning and leaning into the ‘fog’ of life.
Using our discernment and our inner moral compass to navigate the fogginess of life, we can begin to step forward into the clearer skies and the sunshine. We can begin living more in the moment & adapting to changes. We can take advantage of a huge willingness to try new things, allow differing opinions and remain in our hearts standing in kindness with integrity.
The path to learning is eternal and riddled with fog, thunderstorms, wind, and calm sunny days. It’s endless in the obstacles and opportunities it presents. As we navigate and allow ourselves to weather the storms in life, we build a resiliency and empathy for ourselves and for the entire process of learning. We can understand that each of us takes our own paths in our own time – and with that awareness, we can put forth more kindness, empathy, understanding and love.
Fog will come & go in your life. Try to stay in your lane, proceeding when it’s right for you and pull to the side of the road when necessary but don’t give up. The fog eventually will lift, and new days lie ahead.