Thursday, May 9, 2024
Sometimes I think our common phrases do us great disservice. One of my favorite phrases is “Beyond the shadow of a doubt.” Doubt certainly does cast a shadow! It’s the “beyond” part I struggle with.
The shadow of doubt is this surface-level fuzziness, a darkness that seems to plague us. It’s a general distrust of the unknown. Beyond the shadow of doubt implies that we can strip away all possible unknown variables, and be safe from a “whoops.” But beyond that shadow are simply more shadows. How could I bypass the unknown? The minute I think I have it all figured out, a new unknown appears. You can’t go beyond the shadow. It always hovers. How many times have you been “absolutely sure” of yourself, only to find some flaw in the outcome?
There is no beyond. Once you think you know, a new “unknown” pops up. Once you solve a problem, a new problem pops up within the “old” solution. Once you eradicate the enemy and put “everyone” on your side, then a new enemy seeps from within.
If you really want to go “beyond” doubt, don’t try to beat it, join it. Let it be. All outcomes have variables beyond your control. Beyond the shadow of doubt lies what’s beyond your control. We live with it, and we live with it in peace. To get beyond it only means to make it your constant friend.
Trust in what you don’t know. Trust that doubt is part of your journey. Don’t try to outsmart it, go beyond it, or eradicate it. Live with it. Make peace with it. Trust that it’s showing you something important. You can’t get beyond it’s shadow. Why would you want to? The shadow of doubt is what makes life interesting, fun, adventuresome, and eye-opening.