7 Responses To An Unpredictable World That'll Keep Your Chin Up

Image from Hollywood Reporter

We are living in uncertain times. The world we once knew--the way of living of our parents and grand-parents, the sense of security we once felt--seems to be slipping into a new vision, a new future civilization that many of us can't quite understand, let alone foresee. 

So what do we do? How do we deal, cope, with these times that are so unpredictable? 

1. Be vigilant: It's important to stay informed: read different sources of news, both conventional and unconventional sources. Keep your eyes and ears open for new developments and changes in the world. 

2. Build community: It's important to have community in times of uncertainty and rapid change. For one, it's important that we don't feel we are alone; second, having support from people you know and love is beneficial when you're caught on the wrong side of change. 

3. Stay mentally strong: Your mindset is a powerful thing. If you believe you're weak, you will be weak; if you tell yourself you can handle things, that you can keep going in spite of not having the answers, you will. Do not allow yourself to be weak-minded. Learn about the mind, and how to keep it healthy and strong.

4. Focus on what you love: It's easy in times of uncertainty to focus on all the 'what-ifs', but that will only throw you off your centre. Instead, focus on the things you love: your family, your friends, your vocation. By focusing on those things, on the things that really matter to you, you will shift your mindset and energy away from the 'what-ifs' to what is most important in your life.

5. Get a vocation: There's a difference between a job and a vocation: a job is what you do for a paycheque, a vocation, or calling, is what you do because it is the reason you're on this earth--it's what you've been created to do. If you don't know what your vocation is, find it; if you do know what it is, don't let the uncertainty of the times throw you off--keep working, keep creating, keep actualizing. 

6. Prepare: This can take on different forms: from educating your children to saving money, to paying down debt, to investing in gold--whatever that looks like, get informed and get prepared. You don't want to be scrambling when it's too late.

7. Cast off perfectionism: If you're walking around expecting life to be a stroll through the mall, you're deluded. Life isn't perfect--things happen beyond our control that mess up our lives. In fact, in many cases, life is a mess--but that's ok. We are not perfect people; and the first moment you embrace that, the easier you'll be able to handle unpredictability. You'll be able to roll up your sleeves and go to work.