I mean, it’s difficult. Uncertainty is uncomfortable, and for me it brings on anxiety.
My girlfriend is a huge support, who grounds me very well. If i were to look inside myself, well, this website is a start – staying grateful. Also, staying open minded to the fact that i have the ability to make good and intentional steps in the right direction, wherever that may be. Practicing mindfulness comes to mind, too. And not blaming myself. As well as looking for the simple things that move me, and try to find my faith in humanity if it has been lost.
Going to church, prayer, coming to this site and taking walks in nature. I needed one today as a matter of fact! I also try to do yoga when I can and talk therapy has been added recently to assist me with anxious times.
All of my practices help me relax into
uncertainty and the constant feeling
of being on loose ground. Accepting
change and uncertainty has been a
ongoing project for me. Being present
and coming back to this moment, this
breath, has been helpful.
My workout, yoga, and meditation routine as well as journalling. I am grateful for these routines because they keep me grounded and remind me of what is really important, my peace.
Staying consistent with my morning practice of reading poetry and coming to this site gives me a space before whatever the day holds. Reminding myself that everything is temporary, including my reactions in the moment, helps me–when I remember to do it, that is! When I was a frazzled, worried divorced mother of two toddlers and feeling as if I wasn’t giving them everything they needed and deserved I read advice that I go back to again and again: In any given moment, I was doing the best that I could *in that moment*.
Prompted by my thoughts about this question I went in search of the Hebrew for “This too shall pass.” I found it on a piece from the earliest days of the pandemic (https://www.ansheamunim.org/gam_zeh_yaavor).
That made me think back to walking in the streets empty of cars and waving to others from a safe distance, disinfecting our mail because we didn’t yet know how it was transmitted and we were ordering a lot more online, picking up the groceries that we ordered online without going into the store, witnessing the sense of solidarity and support for essential workers that we haven’t been able to sustain, reaching out to friends I haven’t talked to in a long time to reconnect… those really were both the best of times and the worst of times.
Every day brings the unknown. We are always in times of uncertainty. We do the best we can.
Thanks for this reminder, Barb.
How soon we forget. And yes,
Strangely, there was a feeling of
community and shared project
among most of us. Such strange
times. But here we are!
Deep, slow breathing. Focus on the outdoors. Watch the movement/growth of trees and plants, and enjoy the wildlife, the birdsong. The daffodils are growing tall and some have flowers. The “sticks” in the ground are growing greenery. The robins are arriving and busy. Life gives me life … grateful!
During times of uncertainty I always turn to prayer. Uncertainty leads to anxiousness and prayer seems to calm me…for the moment anyway. I know of no other way to deal with those feelings than prayer.
I love this, Yram.
When expressing uncertainty
to my therapist, he always reminds
me that, “ but so far, you’ve done okay. Right?” Makes me laugh, because
of course he’s right. 😁
Focusing on my breathing helps me alot. Breathing in to a count of 4, holding for 4, sighing out for 4 until I feel calm. Another thing I have discovered recently is vagus nerve stimulation. One of the methods in this is massaging certain parts of your ears. I have found a couple of spots that make me feel really chilled out. No wonder my cats used to love having their ears massaged! 😸 There are some instructions on various Youtube sites.
I talk things over with my children too.
I also remind myself that “This too shall pass” and so far I have survived all past times of uncertainty and stress by 100%.
Music…laughter…reaching out to a friend and just remembering to smile!
Kurt Vonnegut tells his wife he’s going out to buy an envelope:
“Oh, she says, well, you’re not a poor man. You know, why don’t you go online and buy a hundred envelopes and put them in the closet? And so I pretend not to hear her. And go out to get an envelope because I’m going to have a hell of a good time in the process of buying one envelope.
I meet a lot of people. And see some great looking babies. And a fire engine goes by. And I give them the thumbs up. And I’ll ask a woman what kind of dog that is. And, and I don’t know. The moral of the story is – we’re here on Earth to fart around.
And, of course, the computers will do us out of that. And what the computer people don’t realize, or they don’t care, is we’re dancing animals. You know, we love to move around. And it’s like we’re not supposed to dance at all anymore.”
Let’s all get up and move around a bit right now… or at least dance.
Yes! I 100% agree with this.
I find it very strange that we
keep trying to put ourselves out
of any interaction. “Self driving
cars?” are at the top of my list.
Okay, I can see how it might be
Cool to have your car come get you
(and pick up a burrito along the
way), but to spend billions of
dollars on this fantasy is beyond
baffling to me. How about a new rule,
we can’t have self driving cars or
rockets to mars, until everyone on earth
has access to fresh drinking water
and decent sanitation. 😁
When I encounter uncertainty, I first ask myself a question: Am I able to make any changes? Answering this question helps guide me in a direction to remain grounded. If the answer is “yes,” I search for a solution. If not, I search for ways to live in peaceful acceptance.
Well said, my Ngoc. There’s only so much control we have. The answer usually comes out as a “No.” It’s the case more often as we age whether it’s through more people coming into our lives or our health deteriorating in the later stages.
Mostly meditation & prayer, but also getting out into nature – taking the dogs to the beach or one of the parks in our area, and, when I can, being in the ocean on my board… being a part of that energy, surfing and sitting in between the waves always reminds me that I am a part of something so much bigger than myself and helps me feel more grounded.
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I mean, it’s difficult. Uncertainty is uncomfortable, and for me it brings on anxiety.
My girlfriend is a huge support, who grounds me very well. If i were to look inside myself, well, this website is a start – staying grateful. Also, staying open minded to the fact that i have the ability to make good and intentional steps in the right direction, wherever that may be. Practicing mindfulness comes to mind, too. And not blaming myself. As well as looking for the simple things that move me, and try to find my faith in humanity if it has been lost.
To relate to the Love perceived.
Going to church, prayer, coming to this site and taking walks in nature. I needed one today as a matter of fact! I also try to do yoga when I can and talk therapy has been added recently to assist me with anxious times.
When I am falling into the abyss, where there isn’t even ground to plant myself upon, all I have left is faith.
All of my practices help me relax into
uncertainty and the constant feeling
of being on loose ground. Accepting
change and uncertainty has been a
ongoing project for me. Being present
and coming back to this moment, this
breath, has been helpful.
My workout, yoga, and meditation routine as well as journalling. I am grateful for these routines because they keep me grounded and remind me of what is really important, my peace.
Staying consistent with my morning practice of reading poetry and coming to this site gives me a space before whatever the day holds. Reminding myself that everything is temporary, including my reactions in the moment, helps me–when I remember to do it, that is! When I was a frazzled, worried divorced mother of two toddlers and feeling as if I wasn’t giving them everything they needed and deserved I read advice that I go back to again and again: In any given moment, I was doing the best that I could *in that moment*.
Prompted by my thoughts about this question I went in search of the Hebrew for “This too shall pass.” I found it on a piece from the earliest days of the pandemic (https://www.ansheamunim.org/gam_zeh_yaavor).
That made me think back to walking in the streets empty of cars and waving to others from a safe distance, disinfecting our mail because we didn’t yet know how it was transmitted and we were ordering a lot more online, picking up the groceries that we ordered online without going into the store, witnessing the sense of solidarity and support for essential workers that we haven’t been able to sustain, reaching out to friends I haven’t talked to in a long time to reconnect… those really were both the best of times and the worst of times.
Every day brings the unknown. We are always in times of uncertainty. We do the best we can.
“We do the best we can.”
Thank you Barb.
Thanks for this reminder, Barb.
How soon we forget. And yes,
Strangely, there was a feeling of
community and shared project
among most of us. Such strange
times. But here we are!
Deep, slow breathing. Focus on the outdoors. Watch the movement/growth of trees and plants, and enjoy the wildlife, the birdsong. The daffodils are growing tall and some have flowers. The “sticks” in the ground are growing greenery. The robins are arriving and busy. Life gives me life … grateful!
During times of uncertainty I always turn to prayer. Uncertainty leads to anxiousness and prayer seems to calm me…for the moment anyway. I know of no other way to deal with those feelings than prayer.
I have few “go tos” that several folks have mentioned. What I do know is that I have survived 100% of uncertain times.
I love this, Yram.
When expressing uncertainty
to my therapist, he always reminds
me that, “ but so far, you’ve done okay. Right?” Makes me laugh, because
of course he’s right. 😁
Focusing on my breathing helps me alot. Breathing in to a count of 4, holding for 4, sighing out for 4 until I feel calm. Another thing I have discovered recently is vagus nerve stimulation. One of the methods in this is massaging certain parts of your ears. I have found a couple of spots that make me feel really chilled out. No wonder my cats used to love having their ears massaged! 😸 There are some instructions on various Youtube sites.
I talk things over with my children too.
I also remind myself that “This too shall pass” and so far I have survived all past times of uncertainty and stress by 100%.
Love these suggestions, Butterfly. Thanks.
Prayer/Meditation
Positivity
Kindness
Music…laughter…reaching out to a friend and just remembering to smile!
Kurt Vonnegut tells his wife he’s going out to buy an envelope:
“Oh, she says, well, you’re not a poor man. You know, why don’t you go online and buy a hundred envelopes and put them in the closet? And so I pretend not to hear her. And go out to get an envelope because I’m going to have a hell of a good time in the process of buying one envelope.
I meet a lot of people. And see some great looking babies. And a fire engine goes by. And I give them the thumbs up. And I’ll ask a woman what kind of dog that is. And, and I don’t know. The moral of the story is – we’re here on Earth to fart around.
And, of course, the computers will do us out of that. And what the computer people don’t realize, or they don’t care, is we’re dancing animals. You know, we love to move around. And it’s like we’re not supposed to dance at all anymore.”
Let’s all get up and move around a bit right now… or at least dance.
Yes! I 100% agree with this.
I find it very strange that we
keep trying to put ourselves out
of any interaction. “Self driving
cars?” are at the top of my list.
Okay, I can see how it might be
Cool to have your car come get you
(and pick up a burrito along the
way), but to spend billions of
dollars on this fantasy is beyond
baffling to me. How about a new rule,
we can’t have self driving cars or
rockets to mars, until everyone on earth
has access to fresh drinking water
and decent sanitation. 😁
Sounds ’bout right, Charlie. Thank you.
Charlie, I totally agree. I imagine that Mother Earth does, too.
Love this! Definitely a dancing animal.
‘we’re here on Earth to fart around’. – I totally LOL reading that, loved this:)
When I encounter uncertainty, I first ask myself a question: Am I able to make any changes? Answering this question helps guide me in a direction to remain grounded. If the answer is “yes,” I search for a solution. If not, I search for ways to live in peaceful acceptance.
Well said, my Ngoc. There’s only so much control we have. The answer usually comes out as a “No.” It’s the case more often as we age whether it’s through more people coming into our lives or our health deteriorating in the later stages.
We can only control (or seek to control) our own responses to what happens.
Mostly meditation & prayer, but also getting out into nature – taking the dogs to the beach or one of the parks in our area, and, when I can, being in the ocean on my board… being a part of that energy, surfing and sitting in between the waves always reminds me that I am a part of something so much bigger than myself and helps me feel more grounded.
The ocean has a way of humbling me. Thanks for the reminder, Sunny Patti.