Finding Ourselves In Uncertainty

In life we are in constant flux of uncertainty because life is always moving and transforming. We look for places, people and things to anchor ourselves in because we fear that the sea of change will carry us away. Why do we fear the unknown? I know that I’ve always tried to plan everything – trying to leave no stone unturned so that I’ll be prepared no matter what and to a certain extent it’s useful (especially when it comes to budgeting). All this planning comes from the fear of uncertainty, trying to protect myself from the unknown and I used to think that the unknown would be coming for me. At Conquering Life I learnt that I have more power than the unknown does and I can do better than spending my time worrying and evading it.

Sometimes something as simple as making a decision for yourself can make the unknown seem less frightening because the truth is the trick to uncertainty is finding stability in yourself – knowing that you’ll have your own back and that you’ll do what needs to be done when the time comes. In my life I will make mistakes, I will lose and I will be hurt but I will also learn, succeed and love! I don’t know what will come when and even if I could phone up the Oracle of Delphi I wouldn’t choose to because uncertainty is part of what makes life life. What’s the point of watching a film if you can predict every word, action and plot twist? Life is meant to be lived, not feared or intricately planned.

Developing an internal locus of control gives us balance in the water – we may not always know what is going to happen but we know that we have the power to choose our actions and reactions. Sometimes it’s important to take a swim in those apparently murky waters of uncertainty because we may learn something or find a different path beneath the surface of our limiting beliefs. I’ve had to jump into those waters this week because I know I have to give up the idea that I can control the world. It was terrifying standing on the edge of the vast unknown and being scared of losing what I hold dear but I realized that I had to make a choice – because in doing nothing I was choosing not to be an active participant in my own life. We have to move forward, we cannot stay stagnate as the tide pushes us out past the horizon because we cannot avoid the tides of time and I for one choose to swim rather than to be carried out kicking and screaming. Conquering Life can help navigate those waters, I know it’s always been a life ring for me. So this week I say: go out and explore the unknown, jump into the water and see what you can find!