Sometimes the vehicle of life is rolling smoothly down the road when suddenly that journey shifts sharply. The consequent whiplash brings disorientation, even when the change is positive. Whether quickly speeding up, slowing down, or changing directions, life’s abrupt shifts cause a sense of metaphorical whiplash.
My Mysterious Mind
Three weeks into my new position and I have been thinking about the intense shift in my work life. Driving to a different campus, walking to an unfamiliar building, finding a place to eat or somewhere to store my lunch bag, and accessing university resources via a strange laptop are bits of the overall changes. The people are mostly strangers, the network of how-to-get-things done foreign, and the acronyms are a mystery. Everyone has been very nice, and I arrive without bitterness or baggage for this organization, however, I am disoriented. After a few restless nights of trying to quiet my confused mind, I began to frame my experience as culture shock.
Every other night I’ve had trouble going to sleep, with the in-between nights arriving at sleep from exhaustion. In the quiet of the night, my brain has tried to make sense of all the new people, strange systems, and unique terminology. After about a week of this I decided two things. First, you can teach an old dog new tricks, but more naps are needed.
The second thing I have decided is the abrupt shift in my life is more aptly viewed as whiplash, not shock. I’ve had whiplash after being hit suddenly from behind in my car. This change in my professional travels is a similar experience, though dissimilar from that of a physical impact.
Which got me thinking about life’s abrupt shifts, times when something we didn’t see coming hits us from out of nowhere, leaving us disoriented. Or times when the pace of life either accelerates suddenly or downshifts unexpectedly. Retirement or starting a new job might bring a sense of whiplash. The loss of a loved one or the addition of a new family member are sudden shifts, even when seen on the horizon before they arrive. A serious diagnosis for self or someone close to us causes a quick halt from normal. The central question of “what is happening?” echoes outward into what was just an ordinary day.
For me, with dramatic change in my work routines, I saw this coming for many months. I suspected it for even longer. Still, when the actual day arrived to make the drive to a strange place, enter a new-to-me-building, and greet strangers with whom I would share a hallway, I was shaken. The foundation of the familiar no longer rested beneath my steps.
Perhaps this has happened to you recently or to someone you love. One minute everything seems fine; in an instant, whiplash brings an abrupt shift. The aftermath of whiplash brings disorientation, disrupted sleep patterns, and demands for adaptation. Such shifts can be positive life events or painful ones; the whiplash experience happens due to the sudden, dramatic shift from normal.
Message of Mystery Acres
One thing I love about the forest is how gradually everything changes. Every day is different, and seasons shift over time, but the foundation of life remains constant. Plus, the journey to the forest is a gradual downshifting from the faster pace of life. We travel on a major highway for an hour, then shift to a secondary, state highway for five miles. The hills and curves require a slightly slower rate of speed. Then, approaching our turn, we slow to almost stopping so we can turn onto a private, gravel road. After less than a mile, we reach the last turn onto our property. That strip of gravel is the final, slow path into our sanctuary.
There’s no whiplash at Mystery Acres. In fact, being in the woods is a wonderful place to recover from life’s abrupt shifts. When I step onto the solid ground of this familiar patch of solitude, breathing deeply of the forest’s oxygen, I can feel trauma disappearing from my entire being. Life doesn’t punch the accelerator or slam on the brakes in the woods. One minute is very much like the last one. Tomorrow is almost the same as yesterday. All of life can’t be like life in the forest, but forest life can heal the whiplash of non-forest life.
The message of Mystery Acres is one of a steady pace and an unshifting foundation for life. My bit of forest is a place of healing for me, a sanctuary offering recovery from the whiplash of sudden changes elsewhere. I’m headed there on Sunday afternoon. No matter how confusing my life is elsewhere, my life makes sense in the woods. Where is your sanctuary from life’s abrupt shifts?
Ancient Mystery’s Voice
“The Lord is my fortress, in Him I will not be severely shaken.” (See Psalms 62: 2)
Whiplash is caused by being severely shaken, with the head shifted suddenly front to back or side to side. In the aftermath of the jolt, the muscles lock in place, making it difficult or impossible to turn one’s head. The trauma to the nervous system often brings fatigue, irritability, problems focusing, and depression. In time the traumatized muscles heal but the spinal column may remain shifted from normal. Early intervention helps reduce the initial problems and can mediate long-term issues.
I’ve had whiplash more than once; it seems people like to hit the car I’m driving from behind. The first time I got whiplash it took a few days to go to the chiropractor, by then, I couldn’t turn my head. The second time I got whiplash, I went to the chiropractor right away. That adjustment was able to put my neck more into its intended alignment before the traumatized muscles locked it down. Both times I remember being tired, emotional, and have trouble concentrating.
The verse I’ve chosen for this contemplation about whiplash is from the sixty-second psalm. “The Lord is my fortress, in Him I will not be severely shaken.” One of the translations is “I will never be shaken,” however, the original Hebrew is closer to a translation of not being “greatly moved.” This makes more sense to me because my experiences of putting my trust in the Lord have included times of being shaken. It doesn’t seem possible for a person’s faith to be so strong, with such confidence, that nothing ever gets to them.
I have been and will be shaken. You likely have already been shaken and will be shaken in life’s road ahead. There will be life events coming at you out of nowhere, shifts for which you were not prepared. Car accidents, house fires, and serious illness will bring whiplash. The arrival of a new baby, or a new child through marriage, will shift life away from the status quo. A loss from death or serious illness causes a downshift that shakes the pattern of daily life. Starting a job or ending one brings rapid changes in life’s rhythm. It seems, to me, whiplash is inevitable.
Shaking will come. Whiplash from life’s abrupt shifts will happen. Wearing a metaphorical seatbelt of faith, like being in a strong fortress, will prevent severe shaking. The Lord is my seatbelt, with Him I will not be severely shaken.
Living in Mystery
What does it mean to live in the mystery of whiplash, given the inevitability of life’s abrupt shifts? First, it involves acknowledging the impact of sudden changes and the adjustments needed for a healthy recovery. And, like actual whiplash, sooner is better than later for seeking help. The mystery of whiplash prompts us to realize the need to be gentle on oneself during times of change. If you are recovering from a season of abrupt change, be kind to yourself. If you are close to someone whose life has suddenly shifted, provide the nurturing of your love for their recovery. Pull off the road of life and settle into a quiet place. Like my patch of forest, find your sanctuary and rest there.
In the aftermath of life’s abrupt shifts, notice the parts of life still unchanged and lean on those solid places. It may seem like nothing is the same but that is an illusion. Even in times of extreme change there are many relationships, familiar places, and comforting routines intact. Use the unchanged parts of your life to draw strength for recovery from the unfamiliar. Or be the unchanged part of someone else's life during their recovery from whiplash.
Living in the mystery of whiplash also means recognizing the value of metaphorical seatbelts. For me, the faith I have in the Lord keeps me from being severely shaken. And, during these past three weeks when my world has greatly shifted, the words of a hymn have played in my mind, with a focus on the phrase “my anchor holds.” One night, unable to sleep, I just grabbed my Bible and held it while I waited to fall asleep. I thought I’d drop it once I fell asleep. I didn’t. In the morning, after a better night of sleep, I was ready for another day in my strange, new world.
What is your seatbelt for times of whiplash? Like wearing a seatbelt during the hundreds of trips when you don’t need it, having it on when you do matters. Where does your “anchor hold” when life hits you out of nowhere? Times of shaking will come. The mystery of certain, eventual whiplash advises a preparation to prevent severe shaking. Having a habit of daily quiet time will provide a place of recovery during times of change.
As an old mom to young parents, I suggest you consider the value of family traditions and routines. These might be bedtime routines or certain meals. When life shifts, our children can recover by returning to the familiar rhythm of family patterns. A familiar prayer or daily blessing provides an anchor when the ground seems to be shifting elsewhere. Gathering for a beloved meal at a predictable time or place can provide the security for another day into the unknown. Like wearing a seatbelt, these family traditions and routines reduce the severity of the shaking when it comes.
Life will shift suddenly and unexpectedly, sometimes for me, or for you, or for a beloved friend or family member. Buckle up and be ready so the shaking is minimized. Seek the shelter of familiar places or relationships for rest and recovery or offer to be a sanctuary for someone you love. Whiplash might be unavoidable, but its damage can be contained while providing an opportunity for deeper connections with people, nature, or the Creator.
Connecting with Mystery
Dear Lord of All Mystery, I confess to wanting my life to be predictable and under control. When life shifts into the suddenly unfamiliar I am disoriented. Thank You for providing friendships to help me recover from life’s whiplash. Help me to be a place of refuge for others who are suffering from sudden, unexpected shifts. Thank You for being a strong seatbelt, keeping me from being severely shaken. Amen.
Notes from Dr. Mac
If you want to do your own investigation of any of the scriptures I use, I suggest you go to Bible Gateway. This free online version of the Bible allows a search of words or phrases. Various translations can be selected from the old-time language of the King James version to the more modernized language of The Message. The book of Psalms provides many words for daily meditation. I suggest you start by reading Psalm 62.
You can find previous posts of my work at my ARCHIVE and organized compilations in the My Books section. You can also find Mystery’s Voice on Spotify.
I want to know what you’re thinking! You can email me at: Dear Dr. Mac or leave/send a message (see below). I love hearing from you!
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