Living In Uncertainty
As I reflect on the future, I find myself wondering: Is there anything I can truly count on? The stability of our democracy, the savings I’ve worked hard to preserve for my later years, the simple freedom of walking safely down the street, and the rights guaranteed in our Constitution—all feel as though they are floating in the fog of uncertainty, distorted by the whims of a single individual.
Yet even as I wrestle with this unsettling sense of instability, I recognize that my own concerns pale in comparison to the hardships many others face each day.
I think of the mothers who struggle to put food on the table for their children. Of friends mourning the recent loss of a beloved partner. Of immigrants—both documented and undocumented—who live in fear, hesitant to leave their homes or send their children to school. I think of the devoted caregivers tending to spouses who are slowly slipping into lives without words, of friends and colleagues battling life-threatening illnesses, and of those who live alone, burdened by loneliness and abandonment.
These are burdens I do not carry. I am privileged. I am fortunate.
My parents taught me to live with gratitude—to recognize the abundance in my life and to share it freely with others. Their example instilled in me a belief in generosity, service, and compassion. It’s why my spouse and I volunteer and give to organizations that provide food, support, lifelines, and legal aid. It’s why we visit friends in the throes of dementia, offer relief to weary caregivers, and run errands for those recovering from illness or medical treatment. These actions may seem small, and they are never enough. But perhaps, in some modest way, they bring reassurance, comfort, and a sense of stability to those who need it.
I find deep gratitude and sustenance in community—gatherings where I feel seen and valued. I treasure the friends who send messages, make phone calls, and would gladly carve time from their busy lives to support me if I ever reached out. I feel renewed when I receive expressions of love from my daughter and grandsons on Mother’s Day; when I witness the San Francisco Bay shimmering in the sun; when I walk through Golden Gate Park, surrounded by the lush, vibrant colors of life; and when neighbors greet me with warm smiles and a simple, sincere “Good morning.” Most of all, I am grateful for the enduring love of my spouse, whose presence is a constant source of strength and peace.
Still, I know that whatever I do—however much I give—will never be enough. At times, the enormity of need discourages me. I lose my bearings and feel adrift in the noise and chaos of the world. In those moments, I pause. I breathe deeply. I return to the quiet center of my heart and seek calm.
I remind myself that times of radical uncertainty can also be times of profound transformation. In the disarray, there is space for creativity, for new ideas, for growth. I strive to listen—especially to those whose views differ from my own. And I hold fast to this truth: even amid the confusion, there is so much good, so much hope, and so much beauty.
I am grateful for the abundance in my life—and for the joy that comes from sharing it.
Tags: compassion, emotional wellness, gratitude, mindfulness, navigating chaos, resilience, uncertainty
