Embracing Uncertainty

We live in an uncertain world. There will be people who will try to convince you it doesn't have to be that way - that with three steps or ten steps you can take control of your life.  But chasing certainty can be like looking at an illusion. You think you can grasp it, but it is not what it seems.

Don't get me wrong.  There are a lot of good principles to live by.  But that is exactly what they are, principles.  They don't guarantee a particular outcome.  Principles are valuable for helping us to act with integrity regardless of the outcome. 

An ancient teaching reminds us of this: 'Do not boast about tomorrow for you do not know what a day may bring'.  

Uncertainty shouldn't stop us from planning and working towards what is important to us.  In fact, if something is worth accomplishing, chances are it will have a fair amount of uncertainty about it.

It is hard to deal with uncertainty.  We fight it, so it usually needs to be forced upon us.  Then when we have no other option we may learn to tolerate it, begrudgingly... then we may come to expect it and finally, maybe we will embrace it.

Ask yourself - If you lost everything that you value, maybe your possessions, positions, relationships, reputation - what would you have left?  Are you holding onto an illusion that these things are within your control? - that steps you can take or not take will make them certain?

Ironically, chasing after certainty is a good way to create more uncertainty.  Studies have shown that the happiest people are those who embrace a realistic level of uncertainty and then get down to the business of living their lives.  Those who face great loss often find themselves open to enjoying each day for what they have but had taken for granted before. 

Daniel

The best mosaics have a lot of pieces