The Unknown

I’ve been thinking about the unknown. There’s been a lot of that lately, hasn’t there? What I’m trying to figure out though, is why some unknowns are dreaded and others are anticipated.

You know, they say that the best part of a vacation is planning it and waiting for it to arrive. In that example, you have an idea of what’s going to happen, but you don’t exactly, and you can’t wait to experience it all! Even if things don’t fall into your precise itinerary, you know it’s going to be good.

But then, for me at least, before Monday morning even comes around, the dread of another week back in reality is there strong and sharp on Sunday night. It’s kind of similar; you have an idea of what’s going to happen, but you don’t exactly, and you just wish it would all go away. Even if things don’t go terribly, you know it’s not going to be great.

Sure, one situation is fun and the other situation is slightly mundane, but that doesn’t mean that fun situations are immune to bummers and mundane situations are free from laughter. They’re both unknown.

So what makes the difference? Is it mindset? Perspective? Prior experience?

I think that maybe the difference is hope.

Dread tricks your mind into thinking that positive change cannot and will not happen.

A vacation? That’s a change for the better and it’s full of hope.

The daily grind? That’s the usual, and it seems like it’s never going to change.

Realizing that positive change is possible—maybe not immediately—but that it is possible?

That’s a choice.

Choose hope.