Certainty- A misrepresentation

We live in a growing cynical society. Pinch of salt, Caution, Mistrust are common words in our daily parlance. In that spirit, certainty is also interpreted as per our convenience. Some view it as an illusion and other a fantasy. In some cases, it is frowned upon rather than explored. So why this resentment or disillusionment?

Certainty is scary. The what-if factor is ever prevalent. Since we are desperate to control all the factors in life, and yet deep down we have been conditioned with time and upbringing to know that Uncertainty is the only constant.

Why this fear of Certainty

1. -         Certainty gives us overconfidence- A sense of certainty can give us false comfort. It can also make us complacent and too comfortable.
2. -         Uncertainty is a fact- Things change, people change, and that is why we are afraid to be ill-prepared
3. -         Cynicism- We have been conditioned to be prepared for exigencies. As our society is progressing we are becoming more and more cynical.
4. -         Vulnerability- We are required to be more vulnerable in wake of certainty. When we are certain of ourselves, we are more accepting and less afraid of accepting our vulnerabilities. We let our defences down. This can be very daunting for some. 
5. -         Certainty about the right things-  The concept of right keeps changing with time. For example, we were certain that our Earth was flat, or it has an abundance of resources till a few centuries or even decades ago.  However, we know better now. Since we aren't always aware the right thing to do, we are more careful. 

 Certainty to be correctly interpreted should be looked at from factors that affect it-

1. 1     Time- As mentioned earlier, things that are uncertain now will no longer be the same. We need to learn with time and from the past.
2. 2.      Technology & Learning- With any advancement in technology, it is obvious that we will much closer to resolving issues much before they arise.
3. 3.      Community- Since time immemorial, one thing that hasn’t let us down is the feeling of camaraderie and solidarity.
4. 4.      Positivity- Human survives on gaining positivity from situation and challenging situation. They are like a phoenix who rise from their own ashes.

 These factor not just impact our view of certainty but also help us in dealingt with uncertainty. Certainty is our go-to emotion in times of need. We not only depend on it ourselves but also share the feeling with our communities.  It helps to look beyond this illusion of fear and see certainty for what it is, a promise for tomorrow.