Embracing Uncertainty and Fearlessness
When you read this, we’re probably going to be on a plane heading east out of Seattle. That’s a particularly interesting fact because – as some of you know – we were supposed to be on an entirely different grand adventure heading west to China.
To make a convoluted story short… When a visa didn’t come through, that plan fell apart. At the very last minute. Drama.
We dealt with it. With a surprising level of calm, I might add (except when interacting with Delta).
We have a good life. I mean, come on… we can’t get too worked up when one travel plan has to be replaced with another travel plan. In a world full of problems, these are good “struggles” to have.
For us, this long overdue and refreshing outlook is another benefit of pursuing fulfilled lives. Even when things are uncertain, go wrong and get turned upside-down, it’s all under the umbrella of living intentionally. Somehow – when you’re doing exactly what you want to be doing in life – “bad” doesn’t go away, but it feels much less severe.
Over the last 5 years of pursuing decent days every day and not deferring fulfillment, we’ve both learned about the gift of uncertainty. Something that we skillfully avoided in our previous lives. Now we know that the more we lean into – and even embrace – uncertainty, the more aligned we feel with life.
We’ve learned the same thing about fearlessness. One of our big goals as we celebrate 5 years of NVR livin’ is to even more boldly assert our voices and pursue the things we believe in. As was the case with uncertainty, neither one of us had a particularly great relationship with fearlessness in our previous lives. We were bold and somewhat fearless but pretty much only when it was convenient. After all, we were busy being upwardly mobile at work. Give us a break.
A couple weeks ago, when we were in Washington DC, we stopped by the Supreme Court building to check out all of the hoopla surrounding the new universal healthcare law. As it turned out, we stumbled upon a huge group of Tea Party Patriots holding a rally (opposing universal healthcare). The hateful things they were spewing really bothered us, especially since the media and large groups of school-kids were in the crowd and interviewing them.
Years ago, we would have been frustrated but we would have returned to our originally planned schedule. This time, though, we cleared a couple items off of our schedule and jumped in head first. We grabbed signs off the ground (from an earlier rally) and started to present a counterpoint to what the TPPs were serving up.
It felt great. The thought of speaking your truth (loudly!) can seem very scary, especially in the face of so much opposition. Once we started, it felt completely liberating and empowering. We eventually spotted others with our viewpoint and joined forces. In the end, we had about 15 people in our ranks. We were even able to give those school kids an alternate perspective.
At one point, a guy came by and tearfully thanked us all for lending our voices. He explained that he has two severely ill loved ones that have fallen through the cracks of our current healthcare system. As he started to walk off I said, “Join us! We’re just tourists lending our voices, we’re not part of any special group.” “No, I can’t,” he said. “I’ve gotta get back to work or my boss will kill me.”
We live a good life. We can somehow make the time to be a voice – to try to be fearless – for us and for those who have less flexible lives. Thanks to our lifestyle, we can also navigate a hefty degree of change and uncertainty without it being devastating.
Uncertainty isn’t a comfortable place for many people and fearlessness is inconvenient for most. We’re finding our groove with both things. We’re still experimenting, but it gets easier every day.
So, yeah, we’re forging ahead with new, unexpected travel plans and kind of blindly piecing a new itinerary together – heading east and not west. We’ll live.
You two truly are an inspiration. Sometimes it takes everything you have to muster the courage to do something that you believe in. It’s great to see you boldly forging ahead. I hope your trip east is fulfilling. Chris and I can’t wait to hear all about it and follow along. We’re buying you coffee as soon as you’re back in Seattle
It’s a deal. We’ll have lots of stories to exchange once we’re back in Seattle. Actually, we’re barely into this, and we already have lots of stories. The best involves a rental car and a big (stupid) fight.
Ohhhh, I needed this today! You are always such an inspiration. Things are again uneasy here in Sin City, and I need to embrace that uncertainty!
Glad you find it inspirational, Abby. Hey… are we gonna have to come back down there for a repeat brunch? What? Is that “yes” we hear you saying. Okay, we’re on it. We’re selfless like that
Hats off to the two of you for following your principles.
For all the talk of dealing with bullies, it seems to me that many of these type of demonstrations are akin to bullying.
And as a Canadian with healthcare paid for out of tax dollars and no worries about having to stay with a job or lose my healthcare, or my house, I have a hard time understanding what all the fuss is about. A country with the stature of the US shouldn’t have millions of people falling through the cracks.Somehow a healthcare system run by insurance companies for profit has never seemed like a good idea to me.
Now how many people have I just pissed off??
I’m sure you’ve pissed off as many people as we have
We try not to speak out about stuff that we don’t have a lot of information on (blindly railing against the other side). We pretty much knew we didn’t care for the TPP agenda. Now that we’ve been (by accident) to an official event, we can proudly say that their agenda is maddening.
Sorry to hear the plans fell through, but you are correct that you live a good life
We do, chica… we do.
Never give up.You are an inspiration for everybody.
Thanks, Laura. We have nothing of real significance to complain about so stepping up to embrace uncertainty and fearlessness is getting easier and easier for us.
Another inspiring post! Great point that even after you design your own life, that sometimes things do go according to plan. So what’s the new plan?
First stop = Spain. Not a bad backup plan, right
Sorry to hear your plans fell through, but I’m sure they will be replaced with something fantastic, just make sure you are in Seattle in July!
Thanks, Ayngelina. I think we just might be. If so, you better show us 1000 pictures from Hawaii while we drink mai tais. Sound good?
You two continue to be my inspiration, in living a life that rolls with the punches and pitfalls. Thank you for inspiring me, and so many others. And, where are you headed???
We’re heading to Spain first – assuming that doesn’t fall through
We need to close the gap between us. How far is Spain from the UK?
Glad you think it’s inspirational. We just have it too good to NOT push ourselves a bit. So happy to have you in our corner.
I agree with Kirsten. You two ARE an inspiration. Good for you for standing up and letting your voice be heard.he
Oh gosh, Pete – thanks. As I read through the comments, I keep seeing the word “inspiration” popping up. We’re happy people see it that way, but we don’t always feel that way
So inspirational! I’ve joined the occasional rally as a tourist before, too. It’s so important to stand up for what you believe in.
Wish you could have been with us, Adam. Those people would have driven you nuts right along with us.
I don’t know how you two can deal with uncertainty with that much aplomb. Kudos to you.
So… where you guys at?! What’s this new mystery location??
Uncertainty is like the universe’s drug. Once you’ve tasted alignment with it, you just keep leaning into it because you realize that we – as little specks in the big scheme of things – have no real control.
So, we try… but not always very gracefully and not without breakdowns along the way.
We’re heading to Spain!
China will always be there! It sounds like you two both work very well together and are able to embrace the uncertainties. That is so important. Good luck on wherever the road takes you. You can’t tell stories if there isn’t a little zest!
Very true. Glitches make for good stories.
By heading east, you mean you’re coming back to D.C. to meet me, Scott and Ella…RIGHT?
Don’t we wish!
Amazing post. A very motivational and inspirational post. You guys rock!! Always amazed at the things you do:)
Keep rocking, keep travelling guys:)
Hey, Arti – thanks!
YES. This is what I keep trying to tell my husband when he panics about not knowing exactly what comes next or when plans change. For me, it comes down to having faith. I believe that there is a path I’m meant to follow and my inner voice is my guide. The obstacles are necessary detours and ultimately, my attitude is the music on the radio.
How’s that for a convoluted metaphor?
One or the other of us can manage to drift into panic mode from time to time. Because we’re conditioned throughout life to chase certainly, it takes a lot of brain retraining to get comfortable with uncertainty.
Oh, I love you two. I really hope our paths cross sometime very soon.
Us too! When do you leave in June?
I usually don’t leave comment but this time I couldn’t speak my mind and do confirm waht the others already said! If only there were more people like you in the world maybe something could really change!! Never give up, plese!!
Aw, thanks for the nice comment! This is nothing bad at all – just a small bump in the road.
You guys are such an inspiration and I mean it. Seriously every time I read y’alls blog y’all are doing something amazing. I am sorry y’all plans fell through, but am happy that y’all realize it’s not a bad thing and will be able to make other plans. Sometimes we see our lil problems as huge problems when in reality in the realm of things they are not problems at all. It is also important that we do stand up for what we believe in because if don’t then no one will. I’m happy I have been able to join a few rallys around the world to share my thoughts on a few things that are wrong in our world.
Exactly… In a world where, for example, 20% of the population is chronically hungry, our problems are small.
Bravo! I love the sign you found, too — perfect! It’s so true about how liberating it can be to speak out once we get the courage to do so. Good inspiration here for all of us.
We were wondering if someone would mention the sign
You guys rock. You just do.
Thanks, Liane – appreciate it very much!
I admire you guys for speaking your minds. I’ve been back and forth on my opinion of the healthcare reform, but I think if it gets structured in a similar manner as the German system is, it should be a good thing.
I saw in your comments that you were on your way to Spain. If you end up in Germany (specifically Freiburg) let us know!
If/when we get anywhere near Germany, you will know for sure!
What a great read (umm.. as always it seems). Working on heading into my uncertainty. It has led me into tears several times over the last week, but I really need to get into it. Not doing it and sticking with uncertainty leads me into panic attacks, so don’t really have much of a choice.
Good for you, Andrew. We’ll be sending positive vibes from Morocco. Feel free to shoot of an e-mail if you’d like.
You guys rock. It was so good to meet you at TBEX. The embrace of uncertainty and fearlessness is a beautiful thing. Those who aren’t panicked by it find incredible rewards.
I know I could use a little more of each in my life. Wait, who am I kidding… a LOT more.