Grit, Grace, and Uncertainty: My Brief Reflections
“I don’t know exactly what’s next, but I’m stepping forward with grit, anchored in grace” -Julie Graham
I’m not much of a sailor (yet), and the most I can do on a boat is head over to the buffet line…
But I definitely appreciate this image of us stepping forward into fearful uncertainties with grit, “anchored” in grace.
For me, I imagine this “anchor” within the infinite source of compassion within the Divine, who sings together with me those powerfully moving lyrics,
”When peace like a river, attendeth my way /
…When sorrows like sea billows roll /
Whatever my lot /
Thou has taught me to say /
It is well, It is well with my soul”.
Regardless of your own spiritual lineage (or if you do not identify with any), I’m sure you’d agree that we cannot escape the “unknown” within the context of our daily lives.
Sure, we could try.
But uncertainties have a way of creeping back up on us like hungry ghosts.
Even if that element of the unknown is as mundane as “when will my WIFI start working properly again”, “where are my bloody keys?!?”, or “why aren’t my socks matching?”, uncertainties have a way of inciting all sorts of different emotions within us.
Maybe we’ll feel anxiety, frustration, sadness, something else, or perhaps, some weird mix of different feelings.
I don’t know about you, but I tend to feel a great deal of anxiety from the many uncertainties I’m faced with day-in and day-out.
Stepping forward with grit is no easy task.
Maybe we’ll ask,
“Will my cute little kids become friendly or snotty nightmarish teenagers?”
“Will this new business or project succeed or fail miserably?”
“Will he/she want to go on a date with me at the sheep shearing show or freak out at the smell?”
“Will I survive the painful grief from this dark night of the soul or drown in the swamplands of my spirit?”
Whatever our situation, the unknown can often fill us with all sorts of wacky, meaningful and often valid questions.
After all, it’s completely natural to feel afraid. It’s wholly human to feel frightful, perhaps absolutely terrified, about what’s to come.
There’s a part of me that much prefers to see this fearful “unknown” as a glorious adventure.
I’m not quite that enlightened yet. But I’ve learned that a big part facing the unknown is stepping forward with grit.
A big part of grit is simply, courage. And courage isn’t all that mysterious.
Perhaps, as Psychologist, Dr. Susan David, suggests, courage is simply this: “fear-walking”.
May you also find grit, grace through your many unknowns.
References:
Bell, Rob. (January 23, 2017). Episode 136: Susan David on Emotional Agility. Robcast. [Podcast]. https://robbell.podbean.com/e/episode-136-susan-david-on-emotional-agility/
Hollis, James (1996). Swamplands of the Soul: New Life in Dismal Places (Studies in Jungian Psychology by Jungian Analysts #73). Inner City Books. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/976211.Swamplands_of_the_Soul
Saint John, Mirabai Starr (2002). Dark Night Of The Soul: Songs of Yearning for God. Riverhead.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21118520-dark-night-of-the-soul?from_search=true
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