The only thing in life that is certain is that uncertainty is a constant companion.

Floating in a calm lake close to shore on a beautiful day feels relaxing and liberating. Floating in a turbulent ocean miles from passing boats with the sun going down feels overwhelming and terrifying. The difference between these scenarios isn’t just the weather or the distance from solid ground, it’s the presence of the Unknown. Close to shore, it’s easy to predict the outcome: Going home after a fun and rejuvenating day at the beach. In the middle of the ocean, it’s impossible to know what will happen: Drowning alone at sea? Torn apart by sharks? Rescued by a passing ship, and meeting the love of your life? 

Both situations involve floating in water, but it’s only in the first scenario that you embrace the lack of control, and surrender to the weightlessness. In the stormy ocean, even with boats in the distance, it’s difficult to trust that the water will hold you up until help arrives. Surrendering in this situation feels dangerous, like giving up, and so you’ll likely fight the waves, and exhaust yourself. 

These are extreme examples, but in almost any situation you could probably graph your Trust against your Certainty, and see a direct relationship. As your perceived level of certainty increases, so does your ability to trust, and vice versa. Who doesn’t take more chances when the stakes seem low and the outcome seems certain? Yet, it’s hard to argue that certainty is anything more than an illusion. You can just as easily drown close to shore as when you are miles out to sea. The safest situation can turn deadly in a moment, and a pocket of safety can be found in even the most dangerous moments. Seemingly predictable outcomes may never manifest, while highly improbable endings occur everywhere, every day. There’s no way to accurately gauge the outcome of every situation. Sometimes the only workable tool is blind trust⏤a willingness to accept your powerlessness in this present moment the way you accept your weightlessness in water. When people talk about getting ‘outside of your comfort zone,’ what they really mean is getting comfortable operating in the zone of uncertainty.

In the zone of uncertainty, success and failure walk side by side. The Known and the Unknown co-mingle. The lights are dimmed, clues are scattered everywhere, and you have to muster the courage to ask for help. Tricksters wear masks of helpfulness, and Angels work quietly all around you, hiding in plain sight. 

In the zone of uncertainty, uncertainty is potential energy, potential energy is transformed into kinetic energy, and the simple act of letting go opens the floodgates, releasing all potential outcomes to meet you in this moment.

Copyright 2023 Kesel Wilson (entirely, 100% human-created)

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