“There is nothing more certain and unchanging than uncertainty and change.” John F. Kennedy
I had an epiphany this week. This doesn’t happen often. Just saying.
It’s been more than a year since the pandemic began. And if anything, things have deteriorated further, despite the introduction of the mass vaccination program. Who would have thought we’d find ourselves still battling the pandemic through a third wave? Aside from hunkering down, I have been bemoaning the uncertainty of these crazy times of ours.
I don’t like and I certainly don’t do uncertainty. Instead, as a planner, I develop plans, and advance contingency strategies upon contingency strategies, upon even more contingency strategies. Okay, I know, I’m a little bit (maybe a whole lot) of a natural worrywart. Still, this planning holds me up, helps me get things done, and gives me a sense of security: everything will work out.
In contemplating the past year’s unwavering uncertainty, I realized that writing is tentative as well. As those of you who have read my blogs know, I typically start a novel with an idea or an image. A question I don’t have an answer for. At this initial stage I have no idea about theme or story, and I certainly don’t know what my characters are going to do.
Somehow, I’m able to wade through this ambiguity by writing. It calms me to know the story is going to unfold in its own time, as it was meant to be. I remain patient (not my strong suit) with myself and my characters. I persevere without the slightest idea where the novel will take me.
So, I’m always steeped in uncertainty. Who knew? The situation with the pandemic is just one more of those nebulous circumstances. I’ve told myself to relax. Here’s hoping I can and that this new awareness (or epiphany) is the first step to acceptance.
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