Truly living starts when we embrace uncertainty

​I spent a lot of my life believing I needed certainty to move forward. Today, what helps me move forward most is knowing there is no such thing as certainty.

We can start with life. Life is not certain.

Tomorrow is an ideal. A nice one. But no one is certain if it is coming or not.

I look back on my life and I also know beliefs aren't certain. So much of what I believed even a decade ago I don't believe today. At least not the same way.

My faith has changed. My politics have changed. My world views have changed. All of those things that at one point I was one hundred percent certain about, they have changed.

Much of my life was built on beliefs and assumptions that are no longer a part of my life. Which in a way makes certainty a thief.

Relationships are uncertain.

So are our finances and our weather and the next person to walk into the room.

Life. Is. Uncertain.

And what holds us back most is our need for it and the pursuit of it. When what actually helps us best move forward, sometimes with amazing speed and joy, is embracing the truth that there is no such thing as certainty.

We spend so much time chasing the myth of certainty, trying to force it into our lives, when our entire life's history is scientific proof that certainty doesn't exist.

Just look back. You'll see.

And then look to right now. Because right now is as certain as life ever gets. You have just been given a breath, you're breathing, of that you can be certain.

There is more freedom in what you can do with that breath when it doesn't require certainty.

There are chances to pursue things in life when you don't need certainty's permission to pursue them.

A new job.

An adventure.

Love.

Move to a new neighborhood. A new state.

So much more.

Don't lean on certainty; all certainty eventually dies. Knowing that is a gift. Because truly living starts not by denying uncertainty but by embracing it.

Embrace it.