I thought life would get easier. More under control. Finally the time would come when I could freely and happily do what was most important—give back to God by giving my Gift.

But it didn’t happen—the part about life getting easier or more under control. No matter what I do, there are always unexpected events, mishaps, new turns in the road.

Most of all, people—family, bosses, coworkers, friends, etc.—defy predictability.

Being a human on planet earth is…complicated.

Thankfully, wise Guides point the way:

What’s really needed is nothing more than a broad sense of what you are looking for, some strategy for how to find it, and an overriding willingness to embrace mistakes and surprises along the way. Simply put, making art is chancy—it doesn’t mix well with predictability. Uncertainty is the essential inevitable and all-pervasive companion to your desire to make art. And tolerance for uncertainty is the prerequisite to succeeding.

 -Bayles & Orland in Art & fear: Observations on the perils (and rewards) of Artmaking

Many of us want a map, but what we get is a compass.  We are not given a detailed outline of how we should live each day.  We are given a due north, a direction we should move toward. 

 On this journey one thing becomes certain: when you move forward on what you know, things become clearer.  When you refuse to act on what you know, all that you do not know paralyzes you.

-Irwin Raphael McManus in Chasing Daylight: Seize the power of every moment

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I don’t expect ease or predictability anymore.  Perhaps we humans need uncertainty in order to live our story and give the Gift we’re here to give.

What do you think?

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photo credit: SpecialKRB (creative commons)

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gloria@gloriarose.com

@gloriabethrose