How do you stay present, when it feels like your world is unraveling?
When sirens wake you. When the future is unclear. When life still needs living, but nothing feels steady, how do you keep moving forward?
Set in a war-touched corner of the world, Phyllis navigates uncertainty with care, courage, and the small decisions that steady her days. Remember, staying present isn’t always about peace. Sometimes, it’s how we make it through.
Life Lessons & Key Themes From This Story
- Staying present through uncertainty helps you move forward, one grounded step at a time
- Taking life one day at a time can offer steadiness when everything feels uncertain
- Even in uncertain times, beauty and light still exist - pause to notice them
- Tending to your health and wellbeing creates a foundation for resilience
- Making time for small things that nourish you helps restore balance
- Looking out for others reminds you of your own strength and purpose
- Doing what you can, with what you have, is more than enough
📍 From Israel: One voice in our growing collection of inspiring true stories shared from around the world.
Every month, I fill up four weeks of pills, in small daily containers. These days, it’s eight pills per day. Heart, blood pressure, cholesterol, one for my stiff joints, another to improve my memory, vitamins. I make a big cup of coffee and down them in separate sips.
But first, I see what day it is.
I have lost track of time. Waking to sirens in the middle of the night, waking again to the builders drilling and hammering at the building site next door. Work and Pilates on hold. After all, there is a war going on.
Living Through the Uncertain Days
But it is such a beautiful day. The sun casts rays between the branches of the tree outside my window. The birds have quieted after their raucous morning calls. Children who would usually be in school, chatter and play on the nearby balconies, enjoying the cool, sunny morning.
Well, my business of Grannies on Demand is never entirely on vacation. A woman is waiting for me to keep her company and help calm her confusion. The tumor in her brain doesn’t hurt but she is so confused. And she tends to forget to use her walking frame.
Children who would usually be in school, chatter and play on the nearby balconies
A mom with a house full of young teenagers needs helping hands to deal with the house while her chemo treatments have made her weak and uncomfortable. Endless piles of laundry need to be dealt with and while there is a packed refrigerator, the kids grab ice-pops rather than warm up real food.
Other people, afraid to go out in case missiles rain down, need things from shops and pharmacies. It’s not that I am not concerned about possible sirens, but I have plotted out possible shelters at different locations around town. I am avoiding highways. Lying on the ground while sirens scream, is beyond my physical abilities.
Staying Present, One Moment at a Time
So, it seems to be Monday again.
If I don’t start checking in with everyone on WhatsApp, I should manage to accomplish a lot today. And maybe, just maybe, I’ll have a chance to wrap myself in a quiet moment with pen and paper, writing haikus and doodle pieces.
I do need to get my sneakers on and head out. First, I will throw in another load of laundry and put away the clean dishes from yesterday. I think I will put on some makeup and pretend it’s just a normal day.
Meet Phyllis Becker
Phyllis Becker has been accused of being "Hallmarky" or a Pollyanna. It's because she looks for the good in people and situations, encouraging others to see the silver linings.
Phyllis lives in the center of Israel, teaching English. She runs a service providing help to all ages in all situations. Her group is called "Grannies on Demand". Her team does anything needed, from driving kids and feeding the cat to helping the elderly and ill.
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