Living with Uncertainty
Summary: While we can’t always control what happens or our instinctive reactions, we can build self-awareness and healthier responses—and sometimes find peace by letting go of control.
Sometimes we are happy; sometimes we are sad. However much we may try, nature always finds ways to assert itself in our consciousness and remind us—and the world—that we are human and vulnerable to many threats. We cannot escape our natural, instinctive reactions to external events, such as the fight-or-flight response. When we fail to respond to situations because we are paralyzed by fear or helplessness, should we feel guilty or blame ourselves? Or should we find a better approach for dealing with life’s unpredictability and uncertainty? Common sense suggests that it is better to have some control over what you think and how you react, and to develop your own methods and strategies for facing challenges. This is easier when you are in control of yourself. At the very least, try to be aware of what is going on inside you. Live a little more consciously. Pay attention: notice what you feel, see what you can learn from it, and consider how you might change your responses in the future. You cannot always control what happens to you or how you react in a given situation. Yet sometimes it is good to sit back, relax, and enjoy a quiet moment—without trying to control or change anything.