There is some black. There is some white.
There is a lot of grey.
This is where a lot of life happens.
I didn’t know or understand this when I was young but as I get older, I see it.

Grey area means – Indeterminate territory, undefined position, neither here nor there, halfway between the two… This term was coined in the mid 1900s. I am surprised it didn’t come about much earlier than that because uncertainty has been an essential part of life forever and will continue to be so. Forever.

John Allen Paulos says “Uncertainty is the only certainty there is, and knowing how to live with insecurity is the only security.”

While I am pretty sure this train I am on will take me home, I cannot be absolutely certain. It might break down or there may be any number of other problems. But that’s ok. I am on it now. We’ll see what happens. I shall enjoy the lovely scenery and write this piece.

Being intolerant of uncertainty is a lot like having an allergy. If I am allergic to pollen for example, what happens when exposed to even a small amount of it? I sneeze and cough, and my eyes get red and teary. When people intolerant of uncertainty are exposed to it, they also have a strong reaction. They worry and do everything they can to get away from, avoid, or eliminate the uncertainty.

Sometimes that can be a big problem as it leads to a lot of time-consuming and tiring behaviours, causing major stress and anxiety. It is possible to learn to handle uncertainty and so worth doing.

“God grant me the serenity,
to accept the things I cannot change.
Courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time,
enjoying one moment at a time,
accepting hardship as the pathway to peace.

Taking the world as it is,
not as I would have it.
Trusting that all things will be right if I surrender to the Universe.”

– Serenity Prayer. (Modified)