7 Anchors for Stability in a Fast-Changing World
Udumbara
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As the world around us careens in every which direction, simple, tried and true values and aspirations can keep us grounded.
Lately, when I read the news headlines, it feels like the world is changing faster than ever. AI is improving exponentially, birthrates are falling rapidly, and the world’s superpowers seem to be inching towards World War III.
While I’m generally pro-technology, I’ll admit that the feeling of constant change and instability does not lead to flourishing communities.
The good news is that we don’t have to focus on such things. Even while the world changes, the most important things remain the same, as they have for thousands of years and will continue to do so.
The key to a happy and purposeful life is to invest deeply in things you know will never change while remaining adaptable and open-minded about the many aspects of evolving life.
If the core of your identity is deeply rooted and thriving, then you might be able to enjoy seeing how things unfold in your lifetime. While change can be hard and disorienting, it also opens new opportunities for those open to them.
Most of my energy is directed toward seven areas I consider important, no matter how much the world changes around me.
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7 Anchors for Stability in Life
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1. Create Memories With Loved Ones
While screens and social media fill more of our time than ever before, real-world relationships stand the test of time. I know my kids won’t be young forever, so I’m trying to prioritize my time with them. It doesn’t have to be doing anything special—some of my favorite childhood memories are of ordinary family time with my parents and sister.2. Invest in Faith and Spiritual Community
What better way to anchor your life than to orient towards something bigger and greater than yourself? While I enjoy reading books and listening to podcasts that inform my faith, I invest my best energy into my local faith community—the same way people have been doing for centuries.3. Do Simple Hobbies That Bring Joy
It doesn’t matter what’s going on in the world or how crazy things get—we’ll still retain our deeply human need for ordinary pleasures, such as simple hobbies. All the better if your hobbies are cheap and accessible. Much contentment can be found in simplicity.4. Steward Physical Health
No amount of technological change will alter the fact that we are embodied beings with all the joys and limitations that come along with that. Since our enjoyment of life is so tied to good health, it’s always made sense to me that investing in our health is a no-brainer. Taking steps to steward your health can be a rewarding pursuit.5. Strive to Grow in Character
At the end of my time on this earth, it won’t matter if I stayed current on the latest trends or was behind the times. That won’t be the measure of my life. The legacy we leave behind will have everything to do with the kind of person you were and how you treated those around you.6. Fill Life With Beauty
In many ways, beauty is subjective. What isn’t subjective is our deep desire for beauty and the fact that humans have been chasing it for as long as we’ve been on this earth. For me, beauty can be found in reading great books, listening to music, and spending time in uplifting places, both natural and man-made.7. Do Good for Others
If leaving an impact on this world matters to you, I have bad and good news. The bad news is you probably won’t be among the world shapers whose names go down in the history books. The good news is that’s not the only way to make a dent in this universe. Our actions can profoundly shape the lives of those closest to us, starting with our family and moving out to our friends and acquaintances. These ripples may start small but can influence the trajectory of the next generation.I’m not sure what the future holds. Probably, if I had to guess, a lot of change in ways I can’t yet expect. That doesn’t scare me, and I hope it won’t scare you either—the most important things in life aren’t going anywhere. Just look back a few hundred years and ask yourself what mattered then. The Lindy Effect suggests these same things will matter well into the future. Anchor yourself with them, and you won’t be easily blown off course.
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