The city where I live is infamous for its fog. My particular neighborhood sits in a district that is sometimes shrouded in gray while the rest of the town enjoys a perfectly clear day.
From inside looking out, I often second guess myself. Should I bring an umbrella? Should I bundle up? Should I wear boots? Right foot, left foot alternating onto pavement, invisible within seconds if someone were to watch. In the day’s lack of clarity, my steps require faith as limbs and certainty disappear into the haze.
Once I’m out and about, much of the uncertainty disappears. The fog fades in the background, heart and mind synching more and more with each step, purpose kicking into high gear. Soon, there’s no turning back.
Unlike fog, doubt doesn’t burn off so easily. Doubt may dissolve momentarily but the questions remain. Whether or not they are asked. As for answers, some may sport that hazy, fog-like quality; oh, how we love those. Many may never come; even better. Either way, lack of certainty does not keep us from proceeding. On the path, winding or otherwise, to wherever we may go. Booted, socked or wedged.
Whether it’s to seek purpose or to carry it out, to find oneself or to look for love, no matter the level of sure-footedness, off we go, taking comfort in the certainty that uncertainty will be a close companion.
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What drives you? What keeps you going?
Doubt, uncertainty, not knowing, etc. Are these things more companions than obstacles on your journey?
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linking up with imperfect prose
Image by David Paul Ohmer
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Nice. Reminds me of this: “…I would like to beg you dear Sir, as well as I can, to have patience with everything unresolved in your heart and to try to love the questions themselves as if they were locked rooms or books written in a very foreign language. Don’t search for the answers, which could not be given to you now, because you would not be able to live them. And the point is to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps then, someday far in the future, you will gradually, without even noticing it, live your way into the answer.” -Rainer Maria Rilke, 1903 in Letters to a Young Poet
Yes, living the questions. Somehow questions seem easy enough to live with without answers ever coming to the fore whereas when we’re plagued with doubt, moving forward seems a little more of a struggle. Thanks for stopping by.
Belinda – you did it again for me. I am in the thick of things, stumbling through uncertainty where the only thing I’m sure of is that there are no certainties in life. Somehow, I’m OK with that, because then I know that I will constantly be striving for something, taking each new step with vigor, purpose and hope, and I’m less apt to be stagnant and content with a future that’s laid out in front of me. At least that’s how I see it.
Justine, I think we left a comment on each other’s blog at the same exact time!
Anyway, I do know what you mean. And somehow, being pregnant seems to really highlight these uncertanties. How we engage in the world, despite all the questions and doubt swirling about, will unfold with every unsure step. Call me crazy but I find the inevitability of it exciting. And I am excited for you and looking forward to belly pictures. Soon? xx
Doubt and uncertainty are my constant companions on this journey of Happiness. I don’t think I would want to know what the future holds. I find the amount of confidence I have in myself at any given moment regulates the speed I move through the fog and mist. I’m willing to take a chance at tripping and falling or crashing and burning if I feel strong enough to take it. I am so glad you commented on my blog so I could find you.
The great thing is the journey with doubt and uncertainty because as we travel through this life we continue to learn and grow.
By the way I love your part of the world that you live in- it’s one of my most favorite places
I think I lose my footing when things that I am so certain about suddenly change into uncertainty. It’s about trying to find the middle ground and learning to embrace the swing between the two that I struggle with. Those vascillations are what keep me up at night.
In the day’s lack of clarity, my steps require faith as limbs and certainty disappear into the haze.
love how you tied this into our spiritual walk, friend… and what a gorgeous picture! i find each day is a bit foggy… more in that i’m doubting myself, but i guess by doing that, i’m doubting my maker. sigh. learning so much, so slowly…
love to you. (thank you for linking!!)
I’m learning just how true this is, and for ever step forward I take, there are often many more I take back. But the trick is to embrace and understand its importance and to learn, as you say to ” take comfort in the certainty that uncertainty will be a close companion.”
I love the image of fog! What an amazing life you must live with such moments of fog surrounding your house… And what a great analogy for the beautiful life of doubt
Uncertainty is becoming more of a companion for me this past year. I’m a planner, but I am embracing not having all the answers and enjoying the view from wherever I am.
I find that if I try to look too far ahead, that is when doubt and uncertainty can leave me hesitant. But if I can keep moving, setting a lower sight, they remain but not as obstacles. It is easy to be overwhelmed. My husband has taught me that confidence means so much. Believe in yourself and the magic will happen.
Perfect analogy with the SF fog.
Living in it I could feel that creeping something like”doubt”
beautifully described