The Journey of Unknown

 I'm not sure that I have found one person in this life that can be fully comfortable walking an unknown path. I don't mean actual paths because then that would exclude hikers, we don't do that here. I'm talking about the path of life. The path that not one person can seem to fully track or map out. The one path that holds the power to destroy you or uplift you. Or possibly do both within a few steps. I've come to understand that no matter how much I try to understand it, I am still left with mystery. So the only way to have any chance of controlling the navigation is to become comfortable with the mystery. 

Now that doesn't mean ending up like Percy Jackson when he goes to Las Vegas and gets tricked with a Lotus flower.Becoming comfortable with mystery doesn't have to mean that you stay trapped in an endless cycle of unwanted torment. It does mean that you can't let fear control the narrative anymore though. If there is anything in this life that humans love to do, it's to anticipate pattern recognition. I mean, let's think about it, pretty much everything in life that entertains the flow of time, is based on patterns. As young children, we are taught language, mathematics, science, all of those things based on proven patterns. Then, as we grow, we might find interest in video games or perhaps sports, things that also involve guided and proven patterns. So what do you think our minds do with that?

Whether you know it or not(well, you're about to), your mind tracks patterns to maintain a level of sanity and achievable success in everyday life. Meaning relationships, diet, music, routines(prime example)..everything!! I mean, I guess that conspiracy theorists weren't completely wrong when they mentioned that life is just a simulation. I mean, I don't think it goes as far as The Matrix, but I mean it gets a little close(the part where everything is coded, not the alien bit). What I'm saying is that to become a master of the unknown you need to understand and comprehend the patterns of your own life. Yes, this process takes time and patience. What do you think, Master Yoda, became a master of the force in one day? ( I mean I would love to believe that, but it's simply not true). What am I supposed to do with this information?

Thanks for asking, well if anything, first and foremost, don't overthink it. I'm not talking whip out a rolling white board and evaluate every single part of your life. That will help no one, if anything, that will stump you and this knowledge will be useless. Instead, in smaller portions, evaluate the main variables of your life. I suggest starting with simple things that can be easily changed, such as food. For example, I start to mildly evaluate that my stomach has been really upset lately, what have I been eating more or less of?, When do I consume food?, etc. After you evaluate that, pay attention to energy level, mood, and capability awareness. Like I feel like I am unable to perform my daily tasks when my stomach is upset. If it's affecting my ability to be fully capable, then it's going to affect my daily life and how much I'm able to achieve. Personally, I learned when I was 8 years old that I was allergic to soy. Honestly, it is hard to not eat it because major corporations love to use it as a binding food or extra protein product. So I just continued to consume it for years and years because I knew it wouldn't result in anaphylaxis, so I thought I'd just deal with.

Until recent years, I noticed truly how much it affects my mood, physical health, and capability of performing everyday tasks. So now I take the initiative to not consume it as much as possible. When I buy products that are most likely to contain it, I check the packaging. If I go to an event and can put in food allergies, I make sure I put it on the list. Now here's the unknown part because it's still not seen as a major food allergy, most restaurants won't recognize it on an allergy menu. It's even being put into candles now as a replacement to other ingredients. So that means that society isn't going to embrace it as unnecessary until enough people are affected. I mean it took awhile to get gluten and tree nuts on that list. Meaning that I can only do as much in my own power to control the pattern that exists. I'm not going to stop living my life and enjoying food because manufacturers decided that this was the food product they were good with. But I'm also not going to let it be something that affects my path in life. I know I just took two paragraphs to describe one situation of unknowing, but as you read this you can probably think of many within your own life. ( not a bad thing, it's very normal to find room for improvement)

The best piece of advice to take from this is to not overthink, start small, and know that the unknown will continue to exist. You may not be in full control when it comes to walking your life's path, but you can do your part in navigating. Don't let fear become your story, become one with the force(mystery) and live a better life. 

~ Your Dearest Friend