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Writer's pictureShirley Riga

We Are Living in Uncertain Times


We are all riding on the edge of the world

With the COVID obstacle course

Freer from the restraints

With uncertainty wavering in the distance

We are not through this pandemic yet

In fact, we may be in the eye of the storm

And are coming onto the other side of chaos.

We are living in uncertain times

The future is uncertain

for my peace of mind

The key is embracing uncertainty

Instead of being intimidated by it.

The concept makes sense

And yet still I find myself

with expectations, planning ahead

and forgetting where Now is.

I am in the present

I remind myself

Nothing else matters

But the moment itself

I have learned nothing is set in stone

And yet I find myself continuing

To figure out what could happen

or might happen so I am prepared.

What if I can’t handle what happens

What if I fail?

What if I’m not prepared?

What if I’m caught off guard?

Living in certainty is living in one moment

Living in certainty is where I am right now

My security is in the present

Always anchoring in one breath

I am a good problem solver

I am a survivor

I believe in me.

It takes but one breath to calm

One glance to ascertain

One thought to center

One heartbeat to know

I am okay now.

One word can spark a moment, One flower can wake the dream; One tree can start a forest, One bird can herald Spring.


One smile can bring a friendship, One handclasp can lift a soul; One star can guide a ship at sea, One cheer can obtain a goal.


One vote can change a Nation, One sunbeam can lift a room; One candle wipes out darkness, One laugh will conquer gloom. One look can change two lives;

One kiss can make love bloom.

One step must start each journey, One word must start each prayer; One hope can raise our spirits, One touch can show you care.


One voice can speak with wisdom, One heart can know what’s true; One life can make a difference, One life is me and you….


Participants’ Reflections:

  • The reading was amazing in how it crystallized the situation we are in, and the frame of mind needed.

  • You captured thoughts of the unknown that we are living in. The irony is we never know the future. While you were reading, I got an image of a white handkerchief. It reminded me of a one-time act. When I was about eight years old, I fell on my face while skating. As I was lying there, I saw a hand offering me a pristine white handkerchief. Such an unselfish gesture, the woman knowing that her handkerchief would get covered in blood and would never be usable again. During the meditation, I wrote down “I will be guided today”. It will be a different 4th of July holiday, no parties and family. I will be in trust today, I can get busy or do things; otherwise, I can be overwhelmed.

  • Certainty and uncertainty. I never really put them together. My mother had a script for me. College, meet a boy, get married, live 15 minutes away, get a teaching job, have kids. I didn’t do any of it the way she scripted it. It wasn’t until I became a mom that I got it. I too developed expectations for my children. Expectations help us not deal with the pain of uncertainty. I'm not guided, it’s just me. Life unfolds.

  • You mom’s intention was to keep you safe.

  • I like the book “Embracing Uncertainty” by Susan Jeffers. The key is in staying in the now. And the power of words. The phrase “I am guided today” is empowering. It’s easy to go on a downward spiral. Listen to the language and energy in “I’m guided today” vs “I can’t do today.”

  • George Floyd has changed so much in the world. Just one person. We have a song that says “one person, one community, one nation taking action.” Think of various spiritual leaders, how each has made a difference. Think of each one of us, how we each make a difference, to each other here, to our families. Any one object focused on can make a difference.

  • Do one small act with great love.

  • Let’s not forget Rosa Parks!!

  • I took a step yesterday. I’ve had shoulder injuries and lots of PT in the past. I had a cortisone shot yesterday. And it was the first time I was able to sleep not in pain. This meditation practice is helping to center me and it helps me make decisions.

  • During the meditation, I practiced listening to silence. First I heard my breath. Then I tried to hear my heartbeat. It brought attention into my ears where I imagined hearing my heartbeat.

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