Uncertainty creates unknown possibilities
My mother was an avid devotee of Deepak Chopra. Actually, to be honest, she was close to obsessed with him. Whenever she could, she attended his lectures. She bought his books and purchased his tapes. (This was late ’90s when tapes where still “the thing.”) One of the best gifts she could receive was to get backstage passes to one of his presentations. (She never talked to him when she went backstage; she was too nervous. Instead, she simply followed him around and stared at him. That was my mother.)
Therefore, you can imagine my surprise when on New Year’s Day 1999 she called from her home in Los Angeles to tell me, “Don’t ever buy me anything again from Deepak Chopra.”
Caught off-guard, I responded, “Um, OK, Mom. I wasn’t thinking about that now, but I promise I won’t. However, what caused this sudden change? Did he kill someone?”
“Oh no!” She exclaimed. “He would never do something like that. He’s too nice of a man.”
Confused, I said, “What did he do then?”
“Did you read the L.A. Times today?”
“No, mom. I live in Eureka, remember?”
“Oh, that’s right. How silly of me. Anyway, there was an article in the paper where the reporter asked famous people what they wanted for their children for the new year. Did you see what Deepak Chopra said?”
“No mom, remember, no L.A. Times.”
“Oh yes, of course. Well, he wished that his children would live in a state of constant uncertainty! Can you imagine? Why would he do that to his children?”
We need to pause here. You need to understand my mother came from a time and an upbringing where nothing was more important than security. People grew up, went to or supported the war, got married, had kids, found a job, spent 40 years on the line, retired and traveled until they passed. It was all worked out. For her hero, her idol, to wish upon his children an uncertain future was — in my mother’s world — tantamount to wanting disease and pestilence to afflict them. She couldn’t make it fit in her world interpretation.
“So, mom,” I continued, “Did he say why he wanted that for his kids?”
“I don’t know,” she replied. “I got so upset I put down the paper and called you.”
“Well, since you did call me, I’m now curious. Can you finish the article and let me know?”
She considered the possibility and, not wanting to leave her son in a state of “uncertainty,” said she would.
When the phone rang again, the voice I heard on the other side was much more upbeat, even relieved. “Now I understand,” she said with a smile in her tone. “In Mr. Chopra’s view, in the state of ‘constant uncertainty’ is when all things are possible. He said that once we become more and more convinced about something, we rule out other possibilities. We limit our options. We confine ourselves to less than we might be. He wants his children to be able to do anything they imagine.” “Makes sense to me.” “Yes, it does, he is a good man.” (Pause.) “You can buy me more books, if you wish.”
Today, we — you and I — are traveling the most tumultuous, frightening, unnerving period in modern history. Each of us is doing our best to keep our head down, put one foot in front of the other, and continue trudging forward; hoping, praying that we will not only survive the virus, but the socio-economic maelstrom already forming. What will happen to our incomes? How will we pay the bills? What will future society bring?
None of us know; tomorrow has always been uncertain. Yet, in these times, our future is hidden by a dark, black, thick, opaque shroud. We recognize the days we are yet to face will be far unlike the days left behind. We simply don’t have a clue what that means. To cope, we grasp for a return to “normalcy,” assuming that when we again leave our houses, we will return to restaurants, movies, even airplanes. Reality is none of that is certain, like it or not.
As terrifying as it is to come to terms with a foreign world we cannot even envision, there is a spark in acceptance of the knowledge that all things are right now, this instant, possible. Ideas previously labeled wrong or impossible might next year be achievable, even likely.
The past has slammed shut hard the door. The future is undetermined. However, our imagination, coupled with our ability to inspire, create and adapt, is what will pull us through, even allow us to thrive. It’s time to release with grace and gratitude our old concepts, face the horizon, and dream bigger, picture more vividly, and believe more. Anything and everything is now possible.
Stay healthy. Be safe. Help each other. Give thanks for our health care and other essential workers often.
The past has slammed shut hard the door. The future is undetermined. However, our imagination, coupled with our ability to inspire, create and adapt, is what will pull us through, even allow us to thrive.
Scott “Q” Marcus is a professional speaker and founder of www. ThisTimeIMeanIt.com, where he can be contacted for coaching, consulting, and presentations. During this social distancing period, he is conducting monthly online workshops on setting goals and getting past what holds you back. You can find out more at www. ThisTimeIMeanIt.com/ intentions.