You must have chaos within you to give birth to a dancing star.
Friedrich Nietzsche

In Greek mythology, the term Chaos refers to the “formless void” that eventually became the Cosmos. It represents the nothing that created everything – water, earth and air. Initially an indiscernible mess, transmuted by the force of progress to order and civilization.

I absolutely adore this version of chaos. Instead of being the force that thwarts us, it becomes the ground of all creation, the place from which all possibilities transform into realities.

Being a parent is chaotic.
Being an entrepreneur is chaotic.
Being in relationship is chaotic.
Being a human is chaotic.

There you have it. Inescapable.

Those are my personal examples. I’m sure you have plenty more of your own.

Right now, the one most present for me…

 Traveling is chaotic.

 My snow-globe life gets a vigorous tumble, and all of a sudden it’s raining sparkles. Patterns, schedules, routines and responsibilities are buried, not to be found until the shaking stops.

I understand how chaos can be unnerving. Trust me. (Just take my blood pressure anytime I approach my daughter’s room.)

Here’s my new question: What can be born here? (And hopefully the answer isn’t a brand new species of dust bunny.)

*When my day is no longer anchored by school drop-offs and pick-ups, what can be born in that space? Or is it better served remaining open?

*When the routines of when to eat, sleep and work are disrupted by time zones and culture, can a new way of being – a BETTER way of being – be born?

*When the chaos stems from an over-fullness (as it does for nearly everyone I know), what most gracefully drops away so that peace has the chance to root?

Science substantiates the Greek mythology – molecules bumping into each other (chemistry), planets bumping into each other (astronomy), or the infinite potential held in the space between quantum particles (physics). This is all the dance of creation.

Here I am, in the homeland of mythology and modern science, dancing with my own resistance to all I cannot control in my own life. Even in this moment, despite its perfection, I notice a dark cloud on the horizon, which could easily bring a violent storm.

How inconvenient it would be to be rained on. Could I find shelter quickly enough not to get drenched?

This line of questioning might keep me safe (and dry) but it frankly saps any possibility of adventure from the situation (as well as taking my attention unnecessarily away from the stunning beauty I’m currently experiencing.)

Here’s a welcome improvement: What can be born?

My answer in this particular moment:

Deeper enjoyment of the moment without the taint of worry
Access to the magic that turns fear into excitement
An anxiety-free plan to remove myself from harm
A greater trust in the Universe’s care of me

That’s a whole lot of good stuff.

Where in your life is the question desperately wanting to be asked? What can be born here?

Tell me below.

Like this article? Get your own personal slice of my brain delivered straight to your inbox by signing up here. Make sure to tell your friends, too. The more, the merrier.