What Indiana Jones Knows About Trust

Have you ever heard the saying, “How do you know you’re on the right path? Because the path disappears.”

That quote has always bugged me. I mean, how much more frustrating can it get?

If I’m doing the right thing, shouldn’t it be obvious that it’s the right thing to do? — screams my Inner Child.

See, the Inner Child struggles here because children crave certainty. They want to know how things work, when things are going to happen, and why.

Thinking we have everything figured out makes us feel like we’re in control.

But in truth, it’s a false sense of control.

Because the reality is, nobody knows what's going to happen on the other side of the present moment.

Even if it’s clear you’re on the right path, it doesn’t matter — life can still throw obstacles and curveballs that sideswipe you out of nowhere.

So what do you do? 

You keep walking forward anyway. And that’s where trust comes in. You trust the path will appear as you move. 🐾 

It reminds me of that scene in Indiana Jones where he’s standing at the edge of a cavern, staring at the empty space between him and where he needs to go. 

All he sees is how easily he could stumble and fall into the abyss.

But then, a little gravel spills out, landing on an invisible walkway. He sees just enough to take the next step. One step reveals the next, until the whole bridge appears beneath him.

We’re all doing the same thing. 

Most of us were taught that if you do it “right,” you’ll feel calm, confident, certain.

But that's lie. The truth is, doing the right thing usually feels like knots in your stomach, knees shaking, and your mind trying to bargain for a guarantee you’ll never get.

Sometimes my Inner Child wants to throw a tantrum about this. She wants someone to show up with a crystal ball 🔮 and say: Don’t worry, here’s every step mapped out, no surprises.

But that’s like watching a movie when you already know the ending– it’s not nearly as fun. 

So, we need the steady part of ourselves that can hold the fear without getting engulfed by it, which is the Adult-self. 

This is the part that knowns you don't build trust by waiting for certainty. 

You build trust by taking a chance and recognizing that you're still standing after.

Think about all the ways you’ve done this already! 

Maybe you left a job that drained you, even when people told you to stay. 

Maybe you ended a relationship you outgrew, even though you didn’t know who you’d be on the other side. 

Maybe you moved to a new city, or started therapy, or said no when you used to always say yes.

With all those steps, your Inner Child was probably trembling, but you moved forward anyway.

It’s like a baby learning to walk. They take one wobbly, hesitant step and then plop down again. But without those first clumsy steps, they’d never get anywhere.

It’s the same for you.

You have to take the first step — even when the Inner Child is certain you’ll just plop down again.

That’s okay. It’s part of the process. 

And learning to trust that the path will appear? That’s the job of your Adult-self, not the scared little kid.

So, next time the path disappears under your feet, take a breath. Feel your feet on the ground. Remind your Inner Child they’re not alone.

I mean… just imagine where we’d be if Indiana Jones had let his Inner Child run the show. He'd probably still be stuck at the edge, wishing for a sign — instead of stepping forward into the adventure. 🏹✨

PS: Want to learn about one of my favorite tools to help me figure out my path? I'm teaching all about it at my IN-PERSON MINI RETREAT happening July 20th in Brevard, NC.