Welcome to today’s edition of?accepting uncertainty.
One of the benefits of the long commute to work is getting a chance to keep abreast with world affairs through the news on the car radio. This news item caught my attention this week.?
Due to acute shortages in crop yield and soaring domestic prices, India has announced a ban on the export of rice (non-basmati rice, to be very specific). According to news outlets and social media feeds, the Indian communities across the US went into a panic and stormed the stores to pick up any and every available rice bag.??
This is no different from folks buying away every last toilet paper roll at the beginning of the pandemic or selling out the shares at the hint of markets crashing etc. A paper published by UC Berkeley shows that participants who were told that they had a 50% chance of receiving a painful electric shock felt far more anxious and agitated than participants who believed they were definitely going to receive the shock.?
This whole phenomenon is based on how we deal with uncertainty, as most things in life are anything but certain. Here is my mantra?A.C.C.E.P.T.?
- Accede: In this era of instant gratification, think about a farmer who seeds and nurtures the field until the crop comes to bear amidst so much uncertainty. Acknowledging the situation is not giving up but rather accepting today’s reality and taking the necessary steps for a better tomorrow.
- Calm:?Often it's our emotion that causes more anxiety, pain, and fear than the problem itself. So instead of worrying about something that has not happened yet, calm yourself by getting out of the clutter of news alerts and social media debates and discussions on the subject. Give yourself space and time to come to terms with the situation.
- Comfort:?Most of us give in and indulge in comfort foods and beverages when we feel stressed and insecure. Nowadays other indulgences are social media, aimless web browsing, etc. The most valuable asset you have is your health, besides time. Ensure you indulge responsibly and judicially so both your health and time are not negatively impacted.?
- Explore:?Once you get a hold of your emotions, then carefully and methodically consider the best-case and worst-case scenarios of the situation. Best case scenario gives you hope while worst case scenario can help you weigh the risks and start thinking about solutions and options. A clear mind facilitates impartial and unemotional thinking.?
- Patience:?At the onset of the pandemic, no one had a clue about how long it would last nor a solution like a vaccine or medicine, for many months. We have adjusted to using face masks, staying indoors for weeks at end, and converting bedrooms and kitchens into working spaces, without an end in sight.?If you haven’t realized yet, Patience is a virtue.?
- Transform:?Let’s say you start the journey for healthy living. The habits you develop - eating right, sleeping well, and exercising regularly will transform you over time, but it will never be an overnight makeover. Transformation always starts with your commitment for it to become a sustainable change.
Let me leave you with this: “Uncertainty is the only certainty there is,”?quoted by Temple University professor John Allen Paulos,?“and knowing how to live with insecurity is the only security.”?
?I invite you to share your strategy for dealing with uncertainty.?
Stay safe, stay healthy, and stay blessed. Thank you and have a great weekend.
