Embracing Chaos

“If chaos is quelled, we’ll always fall back to our safety net; the way we’ve always done things. “Without chaos we are too stable to reorganise. We are too inflexible to adapt and change”, she says. But if we were to harness chaos, follow the disruptions from our usual paths, then maybe we’d find something better.” – Ashli Akins

This message exchange from a networking friend and LinkedIn contact got me thinking this week:

Friend: “How are things with you?”

Me: “Hmmm. How are things with me? Nicely chaotic probably sums it up perfectly! I seem to thrive on chaos but only when it’s manageable 😊”

Friend: “Okay, is that work or life in general Richard?”

Me: “It’s life in general.”

Friend: “Sorry to hear that Richard.

You always seem so calm. Who needs chaos….?

I trust things settle down for you at some point.”

The questions are asked myself were around whether chaos is good for the Human Race and does is it serve me as an individual.

I concluded it does serve me and didn’t want life to be too settled and becalmed.

As for the rest of the Human Race,Bob Miglani, author of Embrace the Chaos, encourages us to accept the uncertainty of life and move forward anyway!

To take action despite not knowing how things will turn out.

However, self-doubt arises in all of us. No matter how strong we might be, the question of WHY always comes up:

“Why should I embrace the chaos?”

Here are Bob’s own reasons to get unstuck and move forward in life…

1. Accepting the chaos of life is better than trying to fight it #

Life has always been unpredictable and full of uncertainty. We just didn’t realize it. Accept it. Don’t fight it. Accepting the reality of our world today is the most important way to learn to live in it. Let go of your ego.

2. You cannot predict the future #

Uncertainty about how things will turn out tomorrow holds a lot of us back from pursuing our life ambitions, relationships or business ideas. We waste so much time trying to make sure the path we take is the ‘right one’, when the reality is that there is no right path, just the one you’re on.

3. You will feel better doing than not doing #

Taking a step forward in any direction makes you feel like you have some level of control of your life. When you take action, you stop overthinking and get less anxious because in some sense, you are creating your own future in the here and now.

4. One thing always leads to another #

Like a stone thrown into a pond of water, somehow one tiny little step forward puts in motion other pieces, rippling away, leading you to places, people and opportunities that you can never have imagined. You didn’t get to where you are right now by your perfectly laid out plans years ago. Some of the greatest things in your life right now, came to you by chance, randomness and luck.

5. You will become a better person #

Faster, Stronger, Leaner and Sharper. The mind is a muscle and like any muscle sometimes the mind needs resistance and tension to grow and develop as much as it needs nourishment and positive energy. Use the chaos of life to learn and develop.

6. You are resilient and know how to adapt #

You don’t know what real strength lies within unless you’re put in a situation that forces you to bring it out. You have an innate ability deep within to adapt and improvise to a new environment. You can handle it because your DNA has gone through a history of difficult times and has progressed ever since.

7. You are meant for bigger things #

Within each of us lies a potential for great things. Think about the possibility of becoming who you really want to become…a better parent, a more successful business person who creates jobs for many, a better spouse or partner or simply contribute more to society. This great person will never be realized unless you take steps to move forward in life and do something different…to accept the chaos and move forward anyway. All of us are meant to create positive impact to all those around us, in our own unique way.

8. Chaos forces us to clarify what’s really important and what’s not #

When you embrace the chaos and move forward in life, you get crystal clear as to what makes you more fulfilled, more satisfied and ultimately, happier. Self-discovery and self-realisations happen during moments of confusion, clutter and consistent complexity.

9. It will make you grateful #

Humility is a wonderful thing and for some of us, it only comes when you’re forced to deal with something life changing. Life is so unpredictable, fast and really, really short. When you accept the ups and downs and the uncertainty of life, you begin to be grateful for what you have and not dwell on what you don’t.

10. Chaos can be transformative #

Sometimes difficult, unpredictable and terrible experiences awaken us to the realities of our existence often encouraging us to get on with work we have been waiting to do.

11. Things have a way of working out in the end #

People say, “things have a way of working out in the end” because it is often so true. Perhaps not always, but there’s a reason why it is a commonly used phrase.

12. Going with the flow is a lot of fun #

Life is good…sure it’s hard…but it’s still good and can be so much more fun if you go with the flow.

Amazing. Keep forging ahead everyone

Thank you for reading.