Keeping the faith, whatever that is

Most of us tend to struggle with the unpredictability of life. The discomfort that comes with feeling like we have no control over situations or what others are doing or not doing can sometimes be overwhelming.
Some of us can keep that in perspective while some of us can not ... it all depends what's happened to us and where we are 'at' in our human and personal development. I think it's fair to say though, that as a human race, we all share the same desire in needing to feel intrinsically 'safe'.
Somewhere along the line I learnt that, to feel more secure, I had to start getting more comfortable with not knowing what's going to happen versus the need to know. Previously my constant need to stay in control at all costs CAME at a cost ... and looking back, it was evident in my teenage years. The need to get some control in what felt like a world that was out of control, manifested through my anorexia, which is an eating disorder.
Fast-forward to adult life, and I have found more productive and healthier ways to manage things. This is where it gets a bit illogical, because I have become aware of having far more control in my life by giving up the need to control! And in my need to feel more secure by giving up my need to control, I actually have more freedom?..
This has been the result of becoming the learner in my own life as opposed to the expert in thinking that everything should be a certain way or that life is black and white.
Of course this is all easy to say, but it can be really challenging in practise, especially when life throws some big curve balls as it tends to do. In order for me to keep my balance of my well being, I need to be strong in staying flexible! And more importantly I need to stay open by way of keeping my faith as priority.
Faith is nothing to do with religion but rather about feeling connected to something greater. It's when we trust the outcome without trying to force it or control it. For faith to work, we have to have an idea on what it is we want, or at least what we think we want. We then must surrender to the outcome.
I've had a few amazing experiences when I've tested my faith and the results were nothing short of miraculous. Faith can often be a hard concept for some, as by the time we're in our mid thirties, apparently 95 per cent of who we are is a set of memorised behaviours, habits, emotional reactions, beliefs, perceptions and attitudes.
Our faith in something other than what we think we know is extremely challenging, with 'our stories' playing in the background justifying our every thought and action. Faith in something greater than who we think we are can certainly be good for our health and give us confidence in something other than our selves. Many of us are our own dis-ablers through the thoughts that we have. If we were taught this stuff at an earlier age imagine the impact it would have on our society! But unfortunately there is a lot of money to be made from our unwellness. For us all to be physically and mentally well would tip the financial axis of our planet. And when it comes to faith, what I have also come to know after much exploration in this area, is that what or who we believe in doesn't matter as much as the belief itself. That is where the real power is.
¦Carla Langmead is a life coach, hypnotherapist, exercise instructor and works in mental health in Whanganui. carlascoachingforhealth.com