In a fog?

When we feel muddied and unfocused, unsure of which way to turn, we say we are in a fog.

Like being in a fog in nature, we may feel like we can’t see where we’re going or where we’ve come from. And we’re afraid if we move too quickly we might run into something hidden in the mists.

Being in a fog slows us down by limiting our visibility. The best choice is sometimes to pull over and wait for the murkiness to clear.

If we move at all, we often must go slowly feeling our way and keeping our eyes open for shapes emerging from the haze, perhaps relying on the taillights of someone in front of us as we make our way along the road.

Most of us prefer to be able to see where we are going and move steadfastly in that direction. But sometimes it takes an obstacle like fog to get us to stop and be still in the moment, doing nothing.

Being in a fog reminds us that when we cannot see outside ourselves, we can always make progress by looking within. Sometimes the source of our fogginess is an emotional issue that needs tending before going full steam ahead.

Then again, the fog may simply be teaching us important lessons about how to continue moving forward with extreme caution, harnessing our attention, watching closely for new information, and being ready to stop on a dime.

We cannot predict when a fog will come, nor can we know for certain when it will lift, but we can center ourselves in the haze and wait for guidance. We may find it inside ourselves or in a pair of barely visible taillights just ahead.

Whether we follow the lights out of the fog, wait for a gentle breeze to lift it, or allow the sun to burn it away, we can rest certain that one way or another, we will move forward with clarity once again.

I believe we have all experienced our own fog. And I’ll bet that most of us have found it frustrating, wanting to move on and out right now!

But there is always a blessing to be gained by

• slowing down,
• becoming aware and conscious of what’s around us, and
• accepting the lessons and opportunities hidden in the fog.