I Was Uncertain About It, But I Did It Anyway
—My One Word February Update
I Don’t Like This
Maybe it’s no big deal to you.
But it’s something I avoid when possible.
I’ll do Zoom calls and Facetime chats with friends. But I don’t like making videos of myself to post online.
So when I wanted to encourage our One Word 2021 participants to show/talk about their word in our group with photos or videos, I decided to go first.
I was uncertain about it.
One Word Update for February
This is my second month with Uncertainty. It’s the word that chose me for this year.
My challenge for February with Uncertainty has been this:
* Uncertainty: February
Be vulnerable. Stop protecting. Take risks. Don’t wait to know.
It’s not been easy for me.
I’d rather be protected than vulnerable. I’d rather be sure than unclear.
I made the video on Wednesday. Of course I didn’t like the way I looked.
I also didn’t like the way I sounded. Because I have a southern accent, I know the stereotype it conjures up. Hillbilly. Ignorant. Backwards.
Our Biases Are Shortcuts
I’ve been looking all month at stereotypes and judgments and mental biases. We all have them.
Our brains love a good shortcut to certainty.
We’re prewired to create a quick ending to a story instead of lingering in the messy middle. As a result, we can come up with all kinds of unconscious tricks to iron out the wrinkles of uncertainty.
We want to run right through uncertainty as quickly as possible to get to the other side.
That’s what biases do for us. But they don’t land us in the right destinations.
So I’ve been trying to slow down and sit with uncertainty instead. Shine a light on the biases so they’ll decrease.
I’d rather come out a little slower on the right side of truth than jump quicker to the wrong conclusions.
Uncertain, But Done (This Time Anyway)
That’s where I am this month. Still sitting in the middle of the mystery. That’s okay.
I did post my video to the Facebook group. Because, you know, Uncertainty.
Whenever I scroll by it, I’m still tempted to delete it.
But it’s a stepping stone I’m laying down on my journey with Uncertainty. It’s part of taking risks. Being vulnerable.
God knows I’m trying to make peace with it. I’m not waiting to have all the answers. I’m just walking out one step at a time with him.
As long as we stick together—God and me—I’ll end up where I need to be. Wherever that is.
If you chose One Word for this year, how’s it going? Visit the linkup here on the 21st of each month in 2021. We’ll chat about our words and you can link up any blog posts you’ve written.
Sometimes, all we can do is walk that one step at a time with God.
Blessings, Lisa!
Your videos are always warm and delightful, Lisa. And when I hear your sweet Southern accent, ‘Hillbilly. Ignorant. Backwards’ are most certainly the last thing that would ever come to my mind … or anybody’s mind, for that matter!
I hope you’ll share the video here for those of us who don’t do FB. And I’ll see you tomorrow.
I gotta go and finish my post …
😉
Thank you for these encouraging words, Linda. I needed to hear that. 😉 I’ll post the video here tomorrow in the linkup (but I’ll cringe doing that too! lol). I look forward to what you’ll be sharing about your word!
I love how you are actively embracing the uncertainties that you’re faced with. Bravo!
I don’t do videos as I have an accent and I am self-conscious about it.
My one word was “hope” and so far so good! I was relieved to get #1 dose of covid vaccine and will have my second in early March. That makes me very hopeful that I will not get seriously ill and that I will be able to spend more time with family nd friends this year after they are vaccinated.
I would love to hear your accent, Pat. It’s fun to hear how different we can all sound, when we’re from the same country and when we’re not, but I understand being self-conscious about it since I am myself. 🙂
Glad you got your first dose of the vaccine! That is definitely an exercise in hope. No timetable yet for when I can get a dose; I’m trying not to lose hope for my turn. One day it will come. I do look forward to times ahead when we can be in closer contact again with friends and family.
Amen Lisa, I loved your video. ❤
You’re very gracious, Paula. 🙂 Thank you.
I have to say I love your accent, and I’m always very impressed by your video book reviews. I have tried it and I am still getting started when the 1m alarm goes. How do you do it?
This quarter I am all about internal resonance and finding balance, laying down a home key if you like. Tamping down the off-colour notes. Not being very creative, but increasingly eyeing that piano.
I’m certain your accent would be a big hit over here, David. We pay close attention to what anyone says with a British accent. 🙂 I squeeze my videos under a minute or so because the less time on screen, the better for me.
“Internal resonance” and “a home key” – those are beautiful metaphors for finding harmony. I have a very old piano in my house that is slightly out of tune, but I love its sound anyway and all that it represents.
Lisa, first off, I love the sound of your voice and accent as there’s something comforting and soft in it. Secondly, thank you for encouraging us to keep on taking the risks God calls us to take. It’s the path to growth and fruit. Blessings!
Love how you lived out your word and posted the video even if it wasn’t as good as you wanted. We all need to start somewhere. Yay for bravery. And showing us how to be brave.
Good for you for forcing yourself out of your comfort zone!
Dear Lisa, my word this year is “enough”, and as selfish as it may sound, it had to start with me. Do I really believe that I am enough for Jesus, for others? The more I believe I am, the more I can see how Jesus is enough for me, how He fills in the gaps to make me enough for Him. Enough is teaching me about grace, and for me that’s the strongest weapon for me to look bias in the face and deal with it. Lisa, I really appreciate your courage and candor in addressing this hard and pervasive (me included) issue. Blessings on your good work!
I don’t think it’s selfish at all to begin with yourself for “enough,” Alice. Ultimately we are the only ones we can change anyway, with the Lord’s help. I love the conclusions you’re drawing; they are helpful for me to hear too. Grace, so much grace!
I Love your willingness to take the risk. Inspiring and this series is too. Thank you for being you.
Lisa, I’m so glad you stepped out of your comfort zone and took that risk! Well done! And I always think a southern accent sounds lovely – I don’t think of it in the way you wrote at all. Thank you so much for sharing this honest, vulnerable and encouraging post at the Hearth and Soul LInk Party. Take care and have a lovely week.