“Embrace uncertainty. Some of the most beautiful chapters in our lives won’t have a title until much later.” Bob Goff
Happy Monday!
I hope you allowed for some downtime over the weekend. For some, that may look like bike rides along the beach cliffs, kayaking, or hiking new trails. For others, it may look more like curling up with a good mystery novel, working crossword puzzles, or relaxing on a blanket under a tree somewhere. Whatever your particular brand of self-care, please consistently give yourself time to rest and regroup. Your body and mind are constantly active and need time to reset and rejuvenate.
I had an interesting conversation with my younger daughter yesterday. She explained that she’d recently been reflecting on how she’s evolved and grown over the past season and shared some thoughtful and inspiring insights. (Infomercial: Parents pay attention to your children’s musings. You’ll be surprised at how much you can learn!)
There was such richness in her reflections about work decisions made and how her character has been formed and continues to grow through adversity. The part that I found so insightful centered on how we can reflect on where we’ve been and consider where we’re going, but life has a way of changing despite our best efforts to continue on a specific trajectory.
I’ve found that sometimes, where we’re going isn’t completely clear. Sometimes, it’s more feasible to go with the flow and pay attention to the things happening around us as we journey. This approach is similar to staying in the present mindset. Still, the emphasis is more on being curious about what we don’t know, what isn’t apparent, so we don’t complicate the future with preconceptions. There’s wisdom in reflecting on and growing from past and current experiences. Maybe it’s a good idea to hold the future loosely, though, ask for guidance and wise counsel, and rest in the knowledge that clarity may come later.
Bob Goff, an American author and speaker, explained it this way:
Some of the best chapters in our lives aren’t often recognized as positive experiences until much later when we can reflect on how they changed us retrospectively. Maybe it was a subtle perspective change we overlooked until we were the recipients of judgment that reminded us to be grateful for acceptance. Perhaps it was a chapter filled with anguish and pain that was the most challenging experience we navigated, yet the lessons learned enriched our lives and the lives of others as we became comfortable sharing.
It might be that we needed time to allow our purpose to mature. Maybe we needed time to learn more about ourselves, let life unfold a bit more, and seek guidance. Perhaps we were trying so hard to figure things out that we neglected to ask for Divine intervention, talk with trusted counsel, or get some emotional support. We tend to be headstrong and don’t really like digging into our emotions, but when we take the risk, the benefits far outweigh the difficulties and temporary discomfort.
Many passages in Scripture have reflections about seasons, but these two in Psalms captured my attention:
“I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel;
My heart also instructs me in the night seasons.
I have set the Lord always before me;
Because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.” Psalm 16:7-8 (NKJV)
“He appointed the moon for seasons;
The sun knows its going down.” Psalm 104:19 (NKJV)
The challenging chapters we traverse may seem hopeless, and the pain and frustration can cause tremendous harm in many ways. Finding meaning may be nearly impossible during these tough seasons, and the natural propensity is probably to give up. Sometimes, that’s wisdom. Walking away from harm or yet another existential crisis.
Consider, however, filing the experiences away for further reflection in the future when time has passed. Consider, too, revisiting lessons learned from past hurts. Reflect on how the experiences provided new insight or might serve us well during current challenges.
Let’s embrace uncertainty this week. Dare to dream about the way things that are bothering you today may create beautiful chapters in the future. These are the things from which epic stories evolve!
Be Well & Be Blessed!
Lucinda
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