“There is no perfect answer to how to exist in this world, and that is ok. There are not supposed to be answers to the mysteries of life that are just as beautiful as they are painful; only guesses, estimates, hypotheses about what feels right, but no answer out of a book to tell us which path to go down or which turn to take.

We should always be searching, thinking, reflecting, loving, questioning, but not demanding or being frustrated when no answer or singular experience seems sufficient or enough.

It has to be ok to not know. It has to be ok to not have the answers. It has to be ok to simply try our best, knowing that our best really can be good enough. It is what makes us human. The true reality of humanity is living in the constant gray, muddling in uncertainty of life’s larger questions as we simultaneously cherish life’s little moments.

Remind yourself that it is ok to not be sure. If you are not sure about anything in life, well, then, I will be right there by your side.

We are all on this journey together, each learning important things along the way.

If we settle on how we think life should be lived, then we close ourselves to the mysteries of life itself and those around us who are also trying to figure it all out.

It is our life puzzle to find contentment and joy within our larger search for life’s answers, but never settling for one answer seems important, too, as it is this emotional search that is the journey as well as the destination.”

Unknown

Reflections

I went back through my journal recently and found this collection of ideas. Unfortunately, I didn’t cite the source so I’m unable to give credit to these beautiful words at this time. I’m almost certain they came from an interview on the Tim Ferriss Show. Hopefully, I’ll stumble across the podcast episode again in the future so I can give credit where credit is due.

At the time of listening to this podcast, I needed to hear these words more than ever. I was demanding answers, but to no avail. The harder I looked, the more questions I was left with. Despite accumulating greater knowledge in just about every subject matter, I felt more uncertain than ever. 

As I reread the ideas I jotted down from this podcast episode, I immediately felt the same sense of peace I felt at the time of hearing them. Years later, I’m still searching for answers. Despite different circumstances, the uncertainty remains. Yet again, I needed to be reminded: “There is no perfect answer to how to exist in this world, and that is ok.“

So badly I want to know the right way forward, but it seems one thing is certain: There is no right way forward, “only guesses, estimates, hypotheses about what feels right, but no answer out of a book to tell us which path to go down or which turn to take.”

No matter the circumstance, “It has to be ok to simply try our best, knowing that our best really can be good enough.”

And that’s just what I’m doing, trying my best, which I suppose is good enough. 

—

My dearest little one,

If I can convey nothing else in life, please understand this:

The true reality of humanity is living in the constant gray, muddling in uncertainty of life’s larger questions as we simultaneously cherish life’s little moments.

[As you walk through life] remind yourself that it is ok to not be sure. If you are not sure about anything, well, then, I will be right there by your side.

Love,

Mom