Embracing the Unknown

March 28, 2025

Principles

Today, we're diving into a topic that's probably been on your mind—dealing with uncertainty. Parenthood is full of unknowns, and even the most experienced parents encounter situations they can't predict. It’s natural to feel overwhelmed by uncertainty, but not all of it needs to be feared. The key is shifting from what if—focusing on worries about what might happen—to what is—grounding yourself in the present and appreciating what you have now. This small but powerful mindset shift can help transform anxiety into acceptance, allowing you to navigate your day with greater peace and clarity.

Here’s how you can shift from what if to what is:

  1. Be willing to feel uncomfortable: You can notice your worry and choose to let those thoughts "be" without engaging in them. Remember, emotions are just energy that can move through you.
  2. Appreciating the present moment: Ask yourself, "What is going on around me right now?" to ground yourself and redirect your focus to the present. When you accept the unknown, you're taking charge of your emotional well-being. It's like saying, "Hey, uncertainty, I see you, but I won't let you take the wheel.”
  3. Decide on what you can control: You can decide where to direct your attention. How might your channel your energy toward what you can influence? This way, you can preserve your energy for the moments that truly deserve it.

You may not be able to predict every challenge ahead, but you can choose where to direct your energy. Instead of exhausting yourself with worries about the unknown, channel your focus toward what you can control. By embracing what is over what if, you're equipping yourself to handle uncertainty with strength and confidence.

A Few Perspectives

Maya Angelou, American memoirist, poet, and civil rights activist, empowers us to focus on what we can control:

“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them… Make every effort to change things you do not like. If you cannot make a change, change the way you have been thinking. You might find a new solution.”
from Letter to My Daughter

It’s not clear where this quote came from, but it’s the heart of this message:

If you worry about what might be, and wonder what might have been, you will ignore what is.

Pause for Reflection

How will you appreciate what is this weekend?

Continue this reflection in the Moment for Parents app.