Have you felt the shift?

Stanislav Petrov went to work as usual on a cold Russian winter night in 1993, not knowing he was going to save the world. His job was to monitor the air defense systems on large computer screens surrounding his desk. On that particular night, all the instruments were flashing warnings of the approach of dozens of nuclear missiles that had been launched from the US and aimed at Russia. Protocols said he’d follow instructions to push the button for a counter-defensive strike against the US. But instead he paused. He had a gut feeling that something was wrong. Intuition told him it might be a false alarm. He didn’t push the button. He waited a long 23 minutes before the system corrected itself. 23 minutes that saved the world from nuclear destruction. 

 

During March, 2023, someone or something threw down the gauntlet and challenged you to a dueling-banjos debate. You found yourself at a forked crossroads that you didn’t see coming. You knew intuitively that you can no longer go the way you came. The two roads before you are clearly marked: “Right” and “Happy.” Vacillating between both sides is no longer an option. A definite choice must be made–a decision about how to resolve a personal inner conflict that has been manifesting in your outer world ambitions. 

 

“Help!” has been my best prayer when I stand before those crossroads. One answer I got came through these wise words from a friend of mine; “the difference between a stepping stone and a stumbling block is your attitude.” 

 

I’m learning that I cannot solve a problem I appear to be having in the outer world without going to its origins in my inner psyche. I’m pretty good at doing that after all my years as a psychologist. But my downfall is when I override my intuitive hunch, including the spiritual wisdom I’ve gained through many life experiences, and rely instead on the rules I’ve been taught. I thank God that Stanislav Petrov didn’t follow protocol. 

 

That’s how I’m saving my own life. That and Mary Oliver. What are you going to do with your one wild and precious life?