Another great article for these uncertain election times. Most of life is uncertain. And it is the not knowing that excites us and keeps us being bored.
Marty, you've done it again with your comments on uncertainty. Most of us political junkies live in a state of anxiety because of the uncertainty that polls engender day by day. Hope and fear become bedfellows as we await the results of November 5th. Hope for me is Kamala. Fear is Trump. I'm certain.
When uncertainty confronts us many turn to prayer. It's a coping mechanism for some. While it's not a solution, it is a balm. While I have not prayed for a very long time, I pray now for the orderly survival of our nation. It is my fervent wish and hope - for my grandchildren and yours.
When I was a teacher of high school students I would remind them that the opposite of love is indifference. Hatred is something very different but somehow manageable. It does not ever work in favor of the hater.
I'm certain of one thing: I will always look forward to and enjoy your weekly posts, Mardy. Otherwise, uncertainty is definitely what keeps me going, wondering "what will this day bring?"
As this week's edition notes, it's possible to take a positive perspective on uncertainty. I'd take it a step further and make uncertainty the very foundation of adventure. I regard adventure as being any undertaking whose outcome is uncertain. For anyone with a sense of curiosity uncertainty is essential. As someone who is grateful for the use of "neurodiversity" as a replacement term for the basket term "mentally disabled," I tend to see life in general as a sustained state of cognitive dissonance, a great generator of uncertainty. (I realize there's a clinical definition of cognitive dissonance as mental illness, but I also think there's a matter of degree.) Maybe you could write about the beauty of futility next -- it can be liberating.
Thanks for weighing in on this week's theme, Joel. We are definitely on the same wave length. If I do a post on futility, though, I think I'll have to title it "The Utility of Futility"!
After reading this week's comment on embracing uncertainty, I thought a possible followup might be " anticipating the future". I did some searching and lots of material on "predicting the future" which is not the same thing.
Another great article for these uncertain election times. Most of life is uncertain. And it is the not knowing that excites us and keeps us being bored.
Thanks, Harley. Very well said.
Marty, you've done it again with your comments on uncertainty. Most of us political junkies live in a state of anxiety because of the uncertainty that polls engender day by day. Hope and fear become bedfellows as we await the results of November 5th. Hope for me is Kamala. Fear is Trump. I'm certain.
Thanks for your kind words, Michael. I don't think I've ever been so anxious in the final weeks of a presidential election.
When uncertainty confronts us many turn to prayer. It's a coping mechanism for some. While it's not a solution, it is a balm. While I have not prayed for a very long time, I pray now for the orderly survival of our nation. It is my fervent wish and hope - for my grandchildren and yours.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, my friend. Lot of people are on their knees these days!
"Security is an insipid thing"-EVER!!!
Andre-Hubert
Thanks for weighing in, Andre.
When I was a teacher of high school students I would remind them that the opposite of love is indifference. Hatred is something very different but somehow manageable. It does not ever work in favor of the hater.
Thanks, Marti. That old saying is so true! Today's a day of rest, but I'll be working on the upcoming indifference post tomorrow!
Another great column. "Uncertainty" is the theme of our times.
Thanks, David. Very well said.
And, come to think of it, it has been the theme of all times!
I'm certain of one thing: I will always look forward to and enjoy your weekly posts, Mardy. Otherwise, uncertainty is definitely what keeps me going, wondering "what will this day bring?"
Thanks, Pat. What a lovely thing for you to say about my efforts!
O yeeees,there is an ABSOLUTE certainty-as we have known for centuries or..more,,
DEATH,TAXES and......HUMAN STUPIDITY-all things we can ALWAYS count on.....ufffff
AHW
Yes, I guess there are some things we can be certain about!
Mardy, you've stoked my uncertainty about next week's topic.
Very clever, my dear Bernadette!
As this week's edition notes, it's possible to take a positive perspective on uncertainty. I'd take it a step further and make uncertainty the very foundation of adventure. I regard adventure as being any undertaking whose outcome is uncertain. For anyone with a sense of curiosity uncertainty is essential. As someone who is grateful for the use of "neurodiversity" as a replacement term for the basket term "mentally disabled," I tend to see life in general as a sustained state of cognitive dissonance, a great generator of uncertainty. (I realize there's a clinical definition of cognitive dissonance as mental illness, but I also think there's a matter of degree.) Maybe you could write about the beauty of futility next -- it can be liberating.
Thanks for weighing in on this week's theme, Joel. We are definitely on the same wave length. If I do a post on futility, though, I think I'll have to title it "The Utility of Futility"!
And sometimes beauty is utility and vice versa. I hope to read that post soon.
We can be certain that whatever quotations and thoughts shared by Mardy Grothe will be
well worth thinking about.
Thanks for your very kind words, Louis!
Mardy,
After reading this week's theme, I will be more resolute about uncertainty, and take the road. . . Thanks for the insights Mardy.
Thanks for the kind words, Herman. Are you referring to "the road less travelled by"?
A wonderful, thought provoking column this month. Thank you Mardy!
And the comments are fascinating too. Thank you to all of those who contributed.
Thanks so much, Barbara. I put a lot of work into these posts, and its nice to see that people are finding value in them.
After reading this week's comment on embracing uncertainty, I thought a possible followup might be " anticipating the future". I did some searching and lots of material on "predicting the future" which is not the same thing.
Thanks for the suggestion, Jim. Let me give the matter some thought; it might make for an interesting future post.