Nuki News #32: Don't Assume the Worst!

I know we’ve all heard that adage of “Hope for the best, prepare for the worst”. It was something my mom would tell me often growing up, so I’ve internalized it a fair bit. Maybe you could see the current situation in the world as the worst outcome we could find ourselves, and we for sure were not prepared for it. Because of that, I think for a lot of us it’s become far too easy to expect the worst off the bat. If I were to talk to my younger self, I’d ask that despite everything, in spite of anything bad that happens, to still have hope and not assume the worst. It’s not the easy thing to do, I’ve found, especially now when we have this negative cloud above us.

I’d like to posit this should not be limited to how you expect a plan, or event or day to go. I think it should apply to people, too. It’s been more common for me, these days, to see drama unfold in my own circles & timelines and feeds. To make more ‘us vs them’ scenarios to grab your outrage and attention. I have to exercise myself and trust the goodness in all of us, despite the straining times. This doesn’t mean tolerating terrible things or bad things someone has said or done, but to not jump to conclusions when things aren’t so clear; when there’s reasonable doubt, and there isn’t true evidence to support any claim. Especially still, who are we to make judgments in these cases? Not that we can’t come away with our own conclusions, but to not hold it against someone especially if it genuinely isn’t our business. Life is short and isn’t worth getting our emotions wracked by that sort of stuff, doubly so when it has nothing to do with us.

With that in mind, don’t sweat the small things someone may do or the small inconveniences (small as in grand-scheme of things small) that happen. This last week or so I’ve been practicing more active meditation, motivated in preparation for the US election. I’m hoping for the best but am still preparing for the worst. Trying to practice controlling my emotions and finding peace within myself. I encourage you and my younger self to ask what’s most important, what’s going to actually affect you and your goals, and what is most precious. For me, my boyfriend, my art career, and my friends are what matters most to me.

Even if someone sits in political office that I don’t like or I feel is unfit, I can still do things and achieve things that are important to me- of course, do your part to help make the changes you want in the world. If you’re in the US do be sure to vote this November if you can’t vote earlier.