“Do you suppose that human life can seem any great matter to a man of elevated mind who has embraced the whole of time and the whole of reality in his thoughts?" -Marcus Aurelius

John Keats is known for terming the phrase negative capability—that of being able to exist with mental uncertainty. As a poet, the particular context in which the concept originated for Keats was that of art and the pursuit of artistic vision even when it leads to uncertain conclusions. In other words, the best art required an acceptance of what one does not know, and that one does not know things. In Keats’ eyes, requiring complete and utter certainty was a hinderance to possibility, versus an assurance.

Playwright and philosopher Seneca provocatively quipped that the person without difficulty, and for these purposes, uncertainty, "has not been permitted to prove themselves." In other words, a slight bit of uncertainty could be seen as a useful edge in the pursuit of any endeavor. It is precisely the not knowing that generates the behaviors and choices we may consider to be our most productive.

Tantalizing as complete and utter certainty is, the most compelling future may require that we lean into the mystery, so aware of the variables of life that our focus turns to bringing our best selves to it.

And so it follows that any future is the byproduct of the intent brought to today.