How do you deal with uncertainty?
We cannot plan for everything. Therefore, we have to accept that life is uncertain.
Last week, I had my Thursday planned. On Wednesday night I ran over a triangular piece of brick while turning into my street. I heard the thud of air escaping. 100 yards farther along the street, as I parked outside my house, I could tell I had a flat tyre. It was dark, and late, and I went to bed.
Thursday morning, I could see that my plans for the day would have to be changed as I went to get the irreparable tyre replaced.
Was there any point in making a fuss? No. I had no choice but to spend the morning changing the wheel and waiting at the repair shop while my tyre was replaced. It wasn’t money I’d planned on spending. But what choice did I have?
So my son and I changed our plans and still enjoyed ourselves. Why?
Because we embraced the change; we embraced the uncertainty; and we got on with life. It was a challenge, but it was also an experience. It gave me the opportunity to show my son how to change a wheel, something I haven’t done since I can’t remember when. Now, although he hasn’t done the full job, he knows how the process works. It was a learning experience for my son, and an opportunity for me to practice equanimity.
We learned, and we enjoyed. No panic, no histrionics. Just enjoy end journey, embracing the uncertainty.
Greenacre 9 