Uncertainty.

To begin with, I’m straight forward uncertain on how this blog will unfold. I appreciate the pureness in thought and the craft of composition, therefore, we will see how this unfolds in one sitting. I hope it is cohesive and creates reflection and inspiration as intended.

If life were linear with identifiable mile markers, would we find value in our everyday happenings? We’d know what was coming next, so we’d just let it unfold right? Good or bad… it’d be coming anyhow.

Yet, life is not certain. The events that unfold in our lives are mostly products of our choices right? Key word: MOSTLY. Yet, the more I live life, I’m understanding how to navigate uncertainty.

I’ve always thought of myself as RESILIENT. I’ve overcame some difficult things. Though because I can demonstrate the power to overcome, that doesn’t mean I’m immune to difficult endeavors. For heaven’s sake, I may have passed the test in knowing how to overcome, but I don’t want to necessarily apply that skill on a routine basis. Thank you for your confidence in my strength, yet let’s be real, I want a vacation. 🙂

So recently I’ve explored some of my fear-based responses. Identifying that I am making decisions in fear of a potential future unfolding sounds foolish, yet we do it all the time (and yup I’m guilty for engaging in this practice). Yes, there are rational reasons for choosing to NOT do certain things, YET by understanding what’s led to that decision, allows for a holistic decision. We are wired to protect ourselves and those we love, so we try to lessen the risk of potentially harmful outcomes.

Yet with these protective practices, are we able to navigate our life in developing our whole selves? What’s a healthy dose of prevention? How do we navigate life and receive the growth, grace and gifts as we should embrace?

So a short anecdotal story: My mom and I had an amazing day together filled with great conversation and connection. We traveled to the Puyallup Fairgrounds and shopped our first Pinology market (can’t wait for the next). In our travels, we discussed life, love and all the things in between. As our time together evolved, we ran into people that we hadn’t seen in a long time. We ran into a couple of my friends that gave me giggles and smiles, as well as a childhood friend whom I haven’t seen in 25 years as well as my high school drama teacher (who was a change-maker in my life.) As the day came to an end, we both realized we were meant to be in the places we were throughout the day (sweet parking spots and chance encounters). Thinking back on this day, it makes my heart smile. I told Beau that it was one of the best days spent with my mom. Want to know why? I let things unfold as they should and I didn’t stress about the details (traffic, parking, weather) or worry about any UNCERTAINTIES. I let it be and let it unfold. Because of this, I feel more alive and enriched because of how I spent my TIME today. 

I share this short story with you to encourage reflection. Are there things in life that you wish were more CERTAIN so you can challenge yourself to grow or experience life? I am talking about the little things (not having a long line at the store/coffee shop) to the bigger things (health in the future). How might needing this certainty interfere with embracing the day and what it may bring to enrich your future?

I know life is short and we do our best to make good decisions to set up for a happy and healthy life. Though we are humans, and we make mistakes, thus life is not perfect. We strive to navigate our lives to develop our best ‘pathway to positive outcomes.’ We seek to understand so we can best respond to what life brings us. We build our strength (of mind and body) to help us overcome and be resilient. Yet, we need to remind ourselves to simply take a deep breath, let it be and let life unfold.

So I wrap this up by concluding by saying “that just happened.” I don’t have a profound premise to what initiated this blog entry (and it’s been 2 years since I’ve written!) so thank you for reading my reflection on the last thought of my day. I brought you into my reflective thoughts and took the risk of sharing them. 🙂 The process of composing this brought me joy, therefore I hope it created reflection and encouragement. 

As always, here’s a song in connection to the idea of this post. May you choose to “DANCE” when feeling uncertain and have the courage to see what unfolds.

This song reminds me of high school. I truly think this song was played at one of our Senior Year events and I remember crying. Therefore, it has true meaning to a time that I had in my life in ‘spreading my wings.’ 

“I hope you dance” by Lee Ann Womack

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Livin’ might mean takin’ chances, but they’re worth takin’
Lovin’ might be a mistake, but it’s worth makin’
Don’t let some Hell bent heart leave you bitter
When you come close to sellin’ out reconsider
Give the Heavens above more than just a passing glance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.

I hope you dance… I hope you dance.
I hope you dance… I hope you dance.
(Time is a wheel in constant motion always rolling us along
Tell me who wants to look back on their years
and wonder where those years have gone.)

I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens
Promise me that you’ll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.

Dance… I hope you dance.
I hope you dance… I hope you dance.
I hope you dance… I hope you dance.
(Time is a wheel in constant motion always rolling us along
Tell me who wants to look back on their years
and wonder where those years have gone.