Today as I’m writing this post it is Martin Luther King Day in the states, and I found myself reading a plethora of his quotes which were posted on twitter and Facebook. My favorite one being “Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.” Now I’ve read this quote countless of times but for some reason today it hit me in a totally new light.

Maybe it’s because since I’ve recently made the decision to start my own business, I’ve been faced with the unknown for the first time in a long time. I know that I want to open my own acupuncture practice, but I have no idea what that looks like yet or how it will work. Essentially I am acting purely on faith, and trusting that with every step I take more details will be revealed to me. And as scary as that is I am realizing that there is something very beautiful in the mystery.

Normally I am a control freak about everything, especially when it comes to planning for the future. I like to control as many details as possible so I can stay rest assured in my own sense of certainty of a successful outcome. Of course you can’t predict everything in life, which is why I always have plan B, C, D, and maybe even E, just to be safe. I work out all the worst case scenarios before hand so I know what I’m getting myself into and how to get myself out of it. I visualize and meditate on my ideal outcome over and over, feeling my desired feelings, making vision boards, ect.. But this whole process can be a bit overwhelming, and a little boring to be honest. Trying to predict every aspect of life takes away all the mystery and adventure from not knowing what’s next.

With movements like the Secret and the Law of Attraction ideas such as seeing your desired outcome in your mind and holding this grand vision have been hammered into us. You have to make goals always having a clear idea of what your end result looks like. But what if you don’t have a grand vision yet? Or an end result? What if you just want to let life unfold naturally?

I’ve been thinking about this concept more and more in terms of my business. I feel like I should have this very clear vision about how it will all turn out, but the truth is I don’t. Not yet anyway. I’ve actually been struggling with this idea since New Years, and it wasn’t until I read this quote this morning that it hit me that I don’t have to have it all figured out in my mind yet. All I have to do is move forward, one step at a time.

I think there is a misconception that you have to know your ideal outcome before your start something, and I don’t think that’s always the case. Grand visions can certainly be the motivation that gets you started but they’re not necessary. What is necessary is having faith that if you feel called to do something that you will be guided and directed even if it doesn’t make sense to you in the moment. Even if you can’t see the outcome and all the twists and turns along the way.

This practice of acting on faith alone also leaves room for the universe to create an outcome far better then what we could have imagined for our selves. Our little ego minds often keep us limited in the dreams department. What we think of as a grand vision  may appear small and stifling compared to what the universe would create. So when you let go of the outcome you also let go of your limiting beliefs that would keep you playing small. By not knowing clearly where you are going you actually open up to far greater possibilities then you could have imagined.

This way of thinking leaves room for wonder, adventure, and maybe even a surprise or two! And when’s the last time you left room for wonder in your life? Where you gave life the reigns for awhile and sat back and just enjoyed the ride. When we were kids everything was about wonder. You didn’t have your goals for the year written out with a detailed outcome. You were just present, and you let life lead you on a new adventure every day.

Now obviously being an adult comes with responsibilities and you need to maintain some sense of control and order. But where in your life do you have room to let in a little more wonder and adventure? Are you stalling in moving forward in some area of your life because you don’t have a clear outcome yet? Let go of having to figure it all out and see what life brings you. You might be pleasantly surprised.

I definitely think that goals and visions are useful and sometimes necessary. But I am beginning to realize that not every area of your life has to be completely mapped out. Sometimes it’s better to just say “ok world I’m ready for my next adventure, show me what ya got!” Sit back and see where you are lead, and then take it from there, one step at a time. Stop worrying about what’s at the top, just keep climbing and trust that it will be worth it.