Life’s Uncertainties

I read an article where the writer said she respected 18th century residents of rural Arkansas because they had “an honest approach to the uncertainties of life”.  I thought to myself, “There’s a virtue we can use more of in modern times”.

Many today take an “I’m entitled to be compensated” approach to the uncertainties of life.  Or a “somebody owes me” approach to uncertainties of life.  Or an “I’ll sue you”, “give me a bail-out” or “I’m a victim” approach to the uncertainties of life.

Generations ago, people turned to their family or community for help when things went bad.  Now some folks look regularly to the government or the courts or the affluent for relief, not just for assistance to get over a bad experience, but in some cases for help with daily subsistence as well.

The spirits of pioneers who settled the country in centuries past still teach important lessons today:  Take the bad with the good, leave unpleasant or tragic experiences behind, have “an honest approach to life’s uncertainties”.

I can’t recall the source, but I remember a story about a father giving advice to his unhappy daughter.  “My dear,” said the father, “life would be so much easier for you if you could just come to accept the realization that life is meant to be hard”.  That’s good advice for all.