What I Know for Sure....
One of my favorite books of all time is "What I know for sure…" by Oprah Winfrey. As a journalist, she realized that one of the most potent questions she asked her interviewees was, "What do you know for sure?" I love the question and ask myself and others this question each birthday. As today is my 34th birthday, I asked myself, "Adrianne, in 34 years, what do you know for sure?"
I have learned the meaning of the statement, "This, too, shall pass." I know that nothing, and I mean nothing, lasts forever. I accept the ephemerality of the human condition. Everything changes. Change is the only constant.
Ephemerality (from Greek εφήμερος – ephemeros, literally "lasting only one day") is the concept of things being transitory, existing only briefly.
I have learned to find beauty in this state of constant change. I have learned to accept, expect, and embrace it. I have known love, and I have known heartbreak. Today, I ran two miles, and my knees feel great. One day, my knees will not. A few days ago, I was so upset with my partner that when he tried to give me a hug, I said" No." At this very moment, I am sitting on the couch typing this message beside my homie, lover, and friend. His feet are touching mine. Earlier this year, I stressed about making changes in my business, and now, in a world of COVID-19, all those things seem trivial. I laugh at the thought of Adrianne six months ago, who was stressed about making small changes. She's hilarious!
I have learned to expect and embrace such changes. There will be good moments and stressful moments in every healthy relationship. Everybody will know wellness, and it will know sickness. We will experience fear, and we will know love. We will have jobs, and we will lose jobs. There will be extra money, enough money, and not enough money. Life ebbs and flows.
Understanding ephemerality increases my confidence because I know I will go through things. Going through is powerful because I know I will not be stagnant. Whatever it is, I will always come out on the other side. So will you.
34 Years Wise,
Dr. Adrianne R. Pinkney
Integrative Wellness & Life Coach
