**Think wise and cherish now**

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If by life you were deceived —— alexander puskin

  * if by life you were deceived,
  * don't be dismal, don't be wild!
  * in the day of grief, be mild
  * merry days will come, believe.

  * heart is living in tomorrow;
  * present is dejected here;
  * in a moment, passes sorrow;
  * that which passes will be dear.

During a period in the past, everything was getting very tough, one thing came after another. The uncertainty for the future enforced the emotion of anxiety and impatience. When does this kind of life come to an end? Is there anything can be worse? Just cannot help to ask oneself. What has gone wrong? How to build that life work balance? Maybe the time can heal everything when life will be getting easier. Here listed some challenges and will come back to see if it is getting better. 

In two weeks, good thing happens ...

  * Past: The pandemic makes it inconvenient to fly back and forth for an international travel, the price is amazingly higher which is impossible to make instant decision to come and go. At least five months shall be considered. 
  * Now: Now it is cheaper little bit and more flights are coming, and can be scheduled ahead.
  * Future: Hope everything comes back to normal for the country still experiencing the pandemic.

  * Past: The slowing down process of government processing documents (e.g., visa) delayed the steps to plan next step to move, the flexibility to travel aboard, such as attending a conference in States.
  * Now: It seems the government has speeded up the procedures and reduced the processing time. Some positive news has received.
  * Future: There will be more options to find jobs, apply grant in Canada, United States, Europe etc.

  * Past: More people have moved to Halifax, which makes it harder to find a cheaper and affordable apartment.
  * Now: It is still not good time to move. But the high interest and the estate policy of limiting the foreign buyers will be good news for domestic buyer next year.
  * Future: The rent fee never decreases but the short-term commercial rent is in high demand (e.g. AirBnb)

  * Past: The pandemic makes the cost of living higher, with local food price surging and gasoline charging more.
  * Now: Except for the regular cost of rental, internet, insurance. Budget on the eating outside and limit travelling plans.
  * Future: Enjoy more natural sites.

  * Past: The baby is growing faster, which will need more care with time going on. When the baby’s grandparents going back next year, more energy and attentions will spend on him for two of us. 
  * Now: The government subsidy has been applied. The daycare has registered. The baby is growing and sleeping well day by day.
  * Future: Make sure everyone is not feeling overwhelming. Working time, rest time, eating healthy, exercising regularly. 

  * Past: There two major projects which needs to pay more attention, to yield high impact article. 
  * Now: It is just uncertain how many time and efforts will be put on to them. Some important milestones have been made.
  * Future: If it is difficult to catch up with the progress, for example, the body healthy and mental wellbeing has been impacted greatly. It is better to say NO and STOP it. Academic activity is part of your life but not all of your life. Let is wait and see. 

From the challenges listed above, it can be found that the anxiety for the future, mostly, comes from the uncertainty of time contol. For example, how much time will be needed to contribute to the work to achieve high impact article? How much time will be required for taking care of the baby? How much time will be needed to sleep well? How much time will be needed to achieve mental and body wellbeing? There are a lot of questions for the future, and it is difficult to plan ahead when not facing the specific situations, let along human being are born to control for a feeling of safety. 

Actually, comparing to most people, there is not much to complain about. There is a warm home to stay, a steady job to get pay for, a happy family to rely on, a well-benefited province to support. When the future will come in great uncertainty, and you don’t know how to get prepared. Maybe the best strategy is not overthinking and cherish now. 


<Last updated by Xi Zhang on Oct 15,2022>