Squirrels vs. Cars: How Indecision Holds Us Back

Last Thursday, after dropping the kids off at school, I had a run-in with fate. Well, a squirrel did...And the run-in wasn't so much with fate as it was with my little, black car.

I saw the poor cutie standing in the middle of the road, still several yards away from me at that point, and I was sure it would dart out of the way as squirrels do. As fate did have it, the squirrel just stood there, paralyzed with uncertainty as the clock ran out and...CLUNK—direct hit.

After a brief moment of guilt passed (RIP, little squirrel), the analogy and timeliness of this fateful game of squirrel v. car hit me like a...you guessed it...oncoming vehicle.

Dead squirrels don't decide, and THAT is their ultimate demise. In a pivotal moment, torn between choice and uncertainty, it's "the freeze"—that paralyzing moment of indecision -- that flattens them out and ends the game.

Dramatized reenactment of Squirrel vs. Car via Austin Powers

It made me realize that I'm also often stuck in this type of match. For example, lately, I've been torn between staying in my cozy comfort zone or moving forward and taking decisive actions toward some of my goals. But I freeze up when contemplating my direction, so I end up stuck in the same spot, not making any moves because choices are tough, and the unknown is, well...unknown. And that can be very scary stuff.

When confronted with two options, left or right, either would take the squirrel out of danger, but FEAR triggers the nervous system to respond with fight, flight, freeze, or fawn.

"To flee or not to flee...." That is the GREAT fricken question. Ultimately, safety prevails, and I continue doing the same things, day in and day out, feeling a yearning for more, but not doing a damn thing about it.

So many people spend the majority of their lives unconsciously choosing to live by the same routines on a regular basis. As a result, they program their brain & body to be in a predictable future or a familiar past, never living in the present moment. - Dr. Joe Dispenza

My most common questions when confronted with indecision:

What if I pick the wrong choice?

What if I fail?

How will others judge me?

When faced with these questions, I've realized that, like the squirrel, I often avoid making any decision and stay frozen in my tracks rather than confronting the unknown.

*But* what if there's another option?

What if either choice could be exciting instead of paralyzing?

Belief is the right way.

What if it was less about the choices and MORE about mindset and confidence in the decision (and yourself)?! Being SATISFIED with the choice made.

I've been holding myself back just waiting to get smooshed right in the middle of the hypothetical road, instead of picking a damn direction and moving forward.

What could be even worse is that when I do make a choice I'll sometimes continue to hover around it, exerting my precious energy to second-guess. Ok...kewl...I'm not frozen in the middle of the road, but now I'm stuck on a roundabout, bringing me equally NOWHERE.

What dawned on me is that all I need is a genuine, visceral BELIEF in my decision, whatever was made. Instead of on the road, the only place where I should stand is firmly in my decision so then I can truly move forward!

Having trust & faith,

confidence & belief,

is the difference between

frozen and flattened

or onward to the next level.

What if we continue making confident choices at each crossroad we encounter, based on our beliefs and values, without looking back? What if the fears that are holding us back could be calmed, or even eliminated? How far could that take us in our lifetime?

And So, the Journey Continues...

As I continue navigating on the Journey of Finding Inner Triumph, I remain in the depths of self-exploration and inner healing. Some of the work I've been doing with my guide/mentor has been identifying subconscious blocks and acknowledging where and why I have resistance in the first place. Along with identifying my values, beliefs, strengths, and blindspots, healing certain subconscious patterns has taken away some of my fear and neutralized past triggers.

Buttons are soft spots that have been touched too many times—symbolized pain that needs to be acknowledged and healed...Freedom comes when we deal with the pain behind the button, thus disconnecting our automatic reaction to being pushed. - The Daily Om, author unknown

I'm continuing to strengthen my nervous system and research more in the realm of human design, neuroscience, mental health, and the mind-body connection. (You can view some of my favorite resources HERE.) In doing so, I am releasing past traumas and stories, solidifying my identity, and feeling clarity for what may be the first time ever.

I trust all these things will serve as my compass and continue to guide me at every intersection. As for the squirrels...well, they're on their own.