It is an act of balancing, like riding a bike. On a bike we are always falling over. And always pedalling forward giving us enough velocity to steer the bike underneath us. We are actually never balanced. Bike riding is the continual act of balancing. But not being balanced.

Those who seem to be able to handle the uncertainty of learning, of innovation, of staying, of leaving, and all the rest, and carry on with enduring faith in a useful outcome share a couple of things, I think.

First, and absolutely required, they are clear about their strengths. They trust them. They are always in the equation. These powers will be used over and over in our lives, they are our fundamental gifts and our birthrights. They will be put to work in different contexts and ages and manners. They give us our fundamental life in the world. Changeworthy people always keep one foot firmly and consciously planted in their strongest abilities, talents and skills. They will not sacrifice those for anyone or any situation.

Second, they understand that whatever new they are experimenting with, is just that, an experiment, a learning journey, a pursuit of discovery which will produce a wide set of new conditions. Some conditions which occur will build on, amplify, and provide contrast and depth to their core strengths. Other conditions arising will seem to diminish or de-energise the core.

It is never one hundred percent. The question is, is there enough momentum going forward which allows us to get the bike under us and stay up and moving? Or are we doomed to fall from the weight of the conditions which are trying to knock our one foot off of the solid foundations of our being while we poke around in the unknown with the other?

It is a challenge to want something from our hearts, and stay conscious enough to actually evaluate the range of conditions which arise. It is a body and heart thing versus a head thing. People who handle this well, do both. Their hearts and bodies give clues for pushing into the mists, while their minds remain engaged and making choices not merely determined by the heart. I'm not talking Vulcan here. It's an act of balance between the highs and lows of passion and staying awake and observant. 

As to hope. I like to think of making practical hope. Hope built on real occurrences over time. Hope built on the core passions and talents which are your work. Hope that these will be amplified and ennobled throughout your life through the choices you make as life demands the changes it inexorably does.

As to faith. You are a veteran. The life arts you practice have been there from the beginning and will accompany you until your last breath. Have faith in those. And have faith that the people who matter to you are doing the best they can to live with, figure out, ennoble and, yes probably make a decent buck from them, just like you are.

Where there is uncertainty there is also possibility. We make investments of ourselves in realising something terrific in the open space of possibility. We cannot get there without the accompanying reality that there is not enough information. We are making a bet. Hopefully a wise and informed bet. But a bet just the same.

Everything tells us that turning the bike will bring us upright. But we did not see the patch of oil on the ground and we go on our head. It happens. Does that bring into question our value to the world? Should we doubt our capacity to ride a bike? Should we not get back on? Or do we learn to see more capably. To find more in every moment to notice and be aware of.

Most of us take many of these routes in our lives depending on how frail or chuffed we feel at the time.