As part of my seminary training I took a course in adult learning and education. One of the characteristics of adult maturity that particularly intrigued me is a growing “tolerance for ambiguity”. Indeed, I have personally experienced that.
As I’ve crossed the 70 year threshold, I find myself not necessarily needing clear answers about most of the important things in life. And, I’m quite happy in not knowing!
How about you? How would you rate your tolerance for ambiguity? For not knowing? For living in uncertainty?
Today’s Theme: Ambiguity
Quote
There is something special about the beauty in the unclear, the ambiguity, the in-between that you can’t totally recognise.
— Alessandro Michele
Neurosis is the inability to tolerate ambiguity.
— Sigmund Freud
Article
The Future Is Uncertain: 5 Ways To Embrace Ambiguity
Predicting the future has become big business and futurists who claim to know what’s coming are in high demand. People tend to be captivated by news stories about what to expect or proclamations about new directions. But life is necessarily ambiguous and just when we think we have a clue…
Questions
- How do you typically respond when faced with situations that have unclear outcomes or lack a clear path forward?
- Consider a recent situation where you had to make a decision without all the necessary information. What could you have done differently that might have resulted in a different and even more positive outcome?
- What might your level of “tolerance for ambiguity” say about you?