May I not let doubts drive me into fear-based decisions.
Recently, I was feeling shaky about my decisions in a couple of life’s arenas: I had doubts about how I approach relationship with my Gods. I was also doubting one of my financial decisions.
The doubts popped up during ritual. At first, I thought these distractions during rituals lessened the rites’ power. But I’m realizing that doubt is part of the spiritual process. Sometimes, it’s good to doubt. Sometimes, doubt adds to a ritual. (Yes, doubt during a rite can lessen its power. But I’m talking about something different here.)
I started thinking about the benefits of doubt. Doubt can lead us to change our minds for the better.
Doubt can also lead us through a process that, in the end, helps affirm our decisions and cleave to them better than ever.
Moving all the way across the country sometime soon, to return to California, is a huge decision and risk. For example, I’m giving up ownership of a three-bedroom rural home on 7/10 of an acre, with a $700 monthly mortgage payment (!) to rent at a much higher monthly cost. Eek! So I wrote a prayer about doubt. The prayer could also be used as an affirmation. I share it here in case you find it relevant to your own personal life.
If you use this prayer/affirmation, please tell me how it goes. I’d love to hear your experience, because it will be unique to you.
Sacred Doubt
May I accept my doubts.
May I recognize doubts as part of life.
May I understand doubts as sometimes part of a self empowerment process.
May I not run from doubts in myself.
May I not run from doubts in other people.
May I not let my doubts drive me into fear-based decisions.
May I not let other people’s doubts drive me into fear-based decisions.
Instead, may I remember that my doubts are a part of me
that might be need healing or empowerment.
May I give that part of myself love.
May I give that part of myself respect.
May self love and respect heal my doubts, if they need healing.*
May I allow my doubts to bless me,
with power or other gifts.
Though there are times it’s good to validate,
invalidate, or analyze my doubts,
may I take time for simple gentle awareness of them.
May this simple, relaxed observance
allow my cells’ innate wisdom
to guide my whole being, both body and spirit.
Note 1: I added the phrase “if they need healing,” because sometimes a doubt does not need healing. For example, a doubt can be a partial recognition of a truth we haven’t grasped yet. When we honor doubt, instead of trying to “heal” it, we allow space in our consciousness for the partially hidden truth to fully emerge.
Note 2: Here are instructions for the above-mentioned simple gentle awareness. Instead of watching your doubts with a sharp effortful focus that is a tiring strain, rest your attention on your doubts gently, the way your head rests on the pillow at night.
Use the comment field below to tell me your own thoughts about doubts. We all have different experiences. Perhaps yours are so different from mine that they will enlighten me. Or perhaps yours are fairly similar to mine, which would be helpful affirmation for me.
Blessed be, Francesca
On your life journey, you deserve the best tools. Click here to learn about the Faerie Ritual Set: http://www.outlawbunny.com/2014/06/11/frs/
Thanks for sharing Francesca! I feel there can be a difference between doubt and being led by fear. Some doubts are like a road map of perspectives opening up showing us different avenues for new thought, growth and change. I like to imagine that there is also magic in those moments.
Laya, thank you for affirming my perspective. And your post is so beautifully written! And thank you for reminding me that there’s magic in moments of doubt. I find magic everywhere, because magic is constant, but sometimes I forget, so I think I forgot to find doubt’s magic. So today I will draw on the magic of doubt. Doubt creates a threshold moment, and being on thresholds can put us between the worlds and in a moment of enormous potentiality. Blessed be.
I have moved across continents many times over the past 20 years and while doubts were always part of the process, joy and new discoveries never failed to turn up.
Enjoy your new home Francesca!
Sandrine, thank you for your encouragement and validation. You made my morning with your kindness. Blessings on your day, Francesca
I have moved many times and always had/have doubts. I don’t think they completely go away – what if…?
Have to make the best of it.
Thank you, Christina
Ooh, excellent point! Thank you for sharing that supportive comment. Not only does it help me, I think other people can benefit from your experience. Big hugs to you!!!