Matt Coddington
MDI Contributor
We as men are in a time of uncertainty. Men who have come before us throughout history found themselves in the same predicament. The men who will come after us will experience the same. There has always been uncertainty and it will continue as long as men walk the earth.
Uncertainty is a part of our human condition. One of our jobs as men, during the time we are alive, is not to try to conquer and control the uncertainty we face, but to learn to dance with it, find wisdom in the face of it, and find the humor in it.
Mark Twain helps us to dance, find wisdom, and find humor in the face of uncertainty through his observations and answers to the questions below.
Are you uncertain about how much time you have left in your life and concerned about your death?
- If so, remember that getting older is a privilege denied to many. You weren’t alive for a billion years before you were born and you didn’t suffer the slightest inconvenience from it.
Are you uncertain about your health?
- If so, be careful about reading a book or article on health and taking action. You may die due to a misprint.
Are you uncertain about outliving your money when you’re too old to work?
- If so, the secret to making progress is to get started.
Are you uncertain about the future of your community, state, and your nation?
- If so, know that politicians and diapers must be changed often, and for the same reason.
Are you uncertain about the stress and craziness in your life?
- If so, know that out of all the things you’ve lost over time, you miss your mind the most.
And if you think you’ve lost your mind, do what my mother, Billie Ruth, said to do. Go to the kitchen and cook up a couple of eggs or Nana’s Rum Dum Ditty, or Uncle Joe’s One-Eyed Hogan. Have something to eat. It’ll make you feel better.
I hope this short essay brings some levity and insight into the uncertainty of the life you find yourself in and helps you dance with it, find wisdom, and laugh in the face of what ultimately laughs at us all.