Certainty in Uncertainty

 Most of us have a troubled relationship with uncertainty, often without even knowing it.

Our most difficult problems often stem from uncertainty: procrastination, overwhelm, distraction, anxiety, frustration with others, beating ourselves up, trouble with forming (or quitting) habits, health issues, relationship issues, financial issues, control or perfectionist issues.

At the root of these is our troubled relationship with uncertainty. We don’t like uncertainty, want to avoid or control uncertainty, and get stressed when we can’t. And I guess that's the beauty of life, is that we don't know how it will surprise us.

The good news is that uncertainty doesn’t have to be this terrible thing that we hate and need to avoid. In fact … we can find joy in uncertainty and fall in love with it, its nature of spontaneousness, and impulsiveness gives a gush of excitement.

This new relationship with uncertainty can unlock so much for us — freedom, joy, and the ability to take on whatever we want.

Let’s get into this,

                                       Finding delight in uncertainty 

We might dislike uncertainty, but in truth, we would be so bored without it. Imagine watching a movie and always knowing how it turns out, or reading the same book over and over. We want surprise, adventure, and possibility.

Uncertainty is the place where we learn — if we are certain about something, there’s nothing new to learn. It’s the place where we form intimate relationships, create art, make something new. It’s the place of discovery, play, dance, and growth. It’s the birthplace of all of this!

Connect with the times when you’ve felt the most meaning and joy: these times were filled with delicious uncertainty!

Imagine going out into the unknown, on an adventure, and finding delight in the uncertainty. These trips are the best and most memorable.

Imagine the uncertainty and dance of a new relationship, the vulnerability, and discovery of it.

Notice the uncertainty in your life right now: is there a way you could be grateful for it? Can you savor it, like a delicious dessert? Can you delight in it, like a newly discovered aria?

Can you allow yourself to open to it, and fall in love with the uncertainty of your life?

                                                  How to Practice 

Of course, this doesn’t come naturally to most of us. We like our routine, we like our control, and we like solid ground under our feet. Unfortunately, life doesn’t let us have that solid ground. Or maybe I should say “fortunately,” because life would be dull and meaningless without groundlessness and uncertainty.

So … how can we learn to delight in the uncertainty? Practice.

Here’s the practice you might try:

1. Notice the uncertainty in a task. 
2. Commit to dancing with it. 
3. See the opportunity in the task, see the joy in it. 
4. Let yourself move, physically. 

What delight can you find in this task, at this moment? Keep practicing, each day, and see what happens in your life!

Thank you for reading, I come up with weekly blogs every Saturday!