The Certainty of Uncertainty
Uncertainty
We live with uncertainty in our daily lives. What often captures our attention is a diagnosis, an inconvenience, and things we can’t control. The latter being most things and especially other people.
For instance, I have trepidation tonight, on the eve of my weekly blog, because tomorrow, the system that sends my blog to you will change. I like the way it works now, and I don’t want it to change. However, a few days ago, I received an email that said it would change, and the change begins this Wednesday. It sounded complicated, and I could immediately imagine a technological horror story. Everything went wrong, and I was a helpless bystander with no agency to fix the problem.
Of course, I do have the agency to accept the excellent and thoughtful offer of help from AWeber. Furthermore, my appointment is at 9:30 Wed morning with an expert who will explain, train, and walk me through my particular requirements. I can also write my blog post the evening before, so I have something particular to work with during our meeting in the morning. And that’s what I am doing now. Still, after five years with only one or two glitches, quickly solved, I confess I am anxious over this unwanted change. As I sheepishly write this, I smile at the paradox of one who likes change and is often an early and enthusiastic adapter and adopter.
Still
Still…I hope you do receive this and that it will continue in the new format as seamlessly as it has up until now.
I would now love to say something critical about myself and my mundane ho-hum tale of woe over my email service change. But I have stopped myself from doing that because I chastise others for making unnecessary comparisons and for belittling their own personal worries. We will leave it like that.
Still…I do want to speak about the uncertainty of waiting for a diagnosis, waiting for a surgical date; waiting for the pathology report; waiting for the pain to stop, or, God forbid, getting worse. Waiting for our plane to take off because someone we love needs us. So many, many everyday things that happen to others that we can’t totally grasp until they happen to us. And then we learn.
And the bottom line is we can and do co-exist with uncertainty. Furthermore, it doesn’t have to ruin our lives, even though we don’t like it or want it. We can make it better or worse by where we focus our attention. And even more, where we focus our efforts and actions – a little more on this next week.
Strength to Your Sword Arm
For now, we are doing what we can do, me with my neck pain which is now superseded by my concern over this tech change, and you with whatever is going on in your life. We are human beings, not robots, and feel things. Naturally, we are prone to respond to our conditioning. I think we are mostly doing the best we can with what we know under the circumstances we currently find ourselves in. So a little tenderness and kindness, along with our resourcefulness, is called for.
Strength to your sword arm!
This is a favourite saying from Brenda Ueland (see note 1) – a metaphor she applies to (writing) and all the hard things we need to do.
NOTES
1:) I came across this quote today from a favourite writer who was way ahead of her time. She wrote a book I love called If You Want to Write : A Book About Art, Independence, and Spirit. “Who are the people, for example, to whom you go for advice? Not to the hard, practical ones who can tell you exactly what to do, but to the listeners, that is, the kindest, least censorious, least bossy people you know. It is because by pouring out your problem to them, you then know what to do about it yourself.” Brenda Ueland
2:) Gordon Lightfoot, a Canadian musical icon, died this week at 84. Here is a gentle little song he wrote and sang – one of my favourites. Pussy Willows Cat-tails
3) Banner photo from Gottfried on Gabriola and flowers from a neighbour’s garden by yours truly.
4:) A heads up: I may be offering a program online in June that will be open to the public. The Naramata and Sorrento Centres in British Columbia have invited me: June 6, 13, 20, and 27 Tuesdays at 1:30 -3:00 PT. The website page is missing the waitlist button, so I won’t add the link until next week – only if you are interested.
5:) Thank you for reading this blog. See you next week, and all my best wishes are coming your way. Warmly, Trudy
Hi Trudy, your blog appeared without problems, so you can let go of that stress for now. I am very familiar with tech anxiety so I related strongly to your post. I do hope your neck pain resolves soon. That must be miserable. With regard, Terri.
Yeah Terri. Thanks for letting me know. My neck is trending now in the right direction. With appreciation, Trudy
One thing I am certain of Trudy, is that I look forward to your blog posts, always learning new things and delighting in your voice 🙂 Glad the changes worked out! xoxo
Thank you dear Janice. You have been sending encouraging words since day one,five years ago. Many readers of my blog, along with me, appreciate your beautiful poetry blog. https://janicefalls.wordpress.com/
With gratitude and love, Trudy
What beautiful song by Gordon Lightfoot. I had never heard it. Thank you
Sue
Oh Sue. I’m glad you liked it. It wasn’t one of the more popular songs, but I always enjoyed it. I also enjoy the beautiful blossoms that come my way from the westcoast. You live in a splendid city. Warmest wishes, Trudy
Similar angst for me this week.I have been using overdrive for years to get audio books from library. I love this site for user friendliness but as of May we must switch to libby.Yuck.Yes, we had a helping video, but hopefully I will get better at ordering books.Why oh why,must everything have to be better and improved,I ask myself oftentimes these days.On the plus side,it does challenge us to keep learning. Sad to hear of passing of Gordon Lightfoot.I enjoyed the video and remembered seeing him in concert way,way,back in Toronto at the Fireball Theatre – would have been 1968 or 69.yikes….Also my early tulips bloomed April 30 first a lovely red one,then two yellow.Sorry to say frost has damaged many so won’t have my usual crop.Still,that little red one qualified for something that delighted me that day. Warmest regards dear Trudy
Hi dear Jean: I just discovered that I missed replying to last week’s comment from you. And I missed Teresa too. I am sorry for that. I always love your observations. Glad to hear you have tulips. In Ottawa, the tulip festival starts this weekend, and it is a city of tulips wherever you look. Pretty spectacular, to say the least. Many thanks for your notes, Jean. Warmly, Trudy
Sweet blog. Trudy all the best with the change. Take care dear friend. We look forward to another blog with your NEW system changes.
Hi Teresa: Goodness, I missed this comment from you last week and one from Jean. Not sure how that happened, but I did want you to know how much I appreciate you reading my blog and sending encouraging words. Warmly, Trudy