Fear of the unknown has to be one of the scariest things I can think of, but sometimes my inquisitive nature gets the better of me and I JUST HAVE TO KNOW. One such adventure presented itself on a visit to the Missouri Botanical Gardens. In one of the garden’s centers, there was a hexagon-shaped glass case, illuminated with red lights, and labeled “Vivian’s Burrow.” (I named it the “Hexagon of Uncertainty.”)

To discover Vivian’s identity, guests have to climb into the stand and view the burrow from inside the glass. There is no way to escape quickly if what’s inside that burrow is too scary. Its inhabitant will be right there, in your face, until you can wiggle your way back out. You could be temporarily trapped at eye-to-eye with uncertainty and your greatest fear.

I JUST HAD to see who Vivian was.

(Rachel was not as “curious” and did NOT venture into the “Hexagon of Uncertainty.”)

I am not particularly fond of any rodent, to be honest, so I was slightly afraid that I was going to find myself nose to nose with some sort of mousey creature.

Taking the opportunity to visit Vivian reminded me of when I was younger and heard mice in our walls or cabinets at night. I would lie away all night full of anxiety over the scratching and squeaking of the vermin. I could never bring myself to turn on the lights or make noise to scare them off (It probably wouldn’t have worked anyway.), but those long nights of holding my breath afraid of what sounds might come next always led to days of exhaustion and dread for the night to come.

Now when I see signs or hear the sounds of mice, I set traps. I prepare my space to remove those furry fearsome creatures with force. I look for their source of entry and I block their progress in any way I can. There is to be no “Hexagon of Uncertainty” where the extermination of mice is concerned for me.

What about you? What are you afraid of? Do you let potential fears trap you?

What about situations of uncertainty?

Do you allow their imminent approach to freeze you from progress or peace?

Here, in a relatively young 2025, I want you to consider what uncertainty or fear has you trapped.

Are you considering a new career path, taking up healthier habits, cutting back on spending to save for something nice, or committing to a new cause that will lead to big changes? Those can all be super scary but you can’t let them bait you into backing out from your goals.

When I climbed inside the “Hexagon of Uncertainty”, there was a period where I was afraid of what my commitment to entering Vivan’s realm would reveal. After discovering I had nothing to fear, I was able to take in all the details of her terrarium and appreciate the phenomenal work done by those who created the encased environment. It will be the same for you.

When you commit to your situation of uncertainty, it’s going to be scary. There are going to be new details that reveal themselves to you. There is going to be a shift in your perspective.

You don’t have to let uncertainty be your trap, you can allow it to be your motivation in attaining comfort, success, and steadiness. It’s okay to not feel confident at first, your conviction will grow as you realize the scariest choice was to not try at all.

For today, I’d like you to consider what uncertainty has you trapped in a pattern that lacks progress. Put some Intentergy into turning that doubt into drive. Allow that drive to propel you through the discomfort of facing your fear and stimulate your ability to find success.

You can do this!

Whether it’s the mice in your basement or a new career that’s calling you. You don’t have to be trapped by your uncertainty. You have the Intentergy to put the right perspective in place and dedicate your energy to attaining those ambitions.

By: Melanie A. Peters

P.S. Do you think spiders are scarier than mice?

P.P.S. I will protect you from spiders if you can help me when there is a mouse.