Reflections #01: Accepting Life’s Course – Finding Peace in Uncertainty

Life is a journey that we all embark on, and as much as we’d like to think that we have full control over our lives, the reality is that life has its course, and there’s very little we can do to change it.

No matter how much we try to plan our lives, unexpected twists and turns can alter our paths. The choices we make and actions we take may influence the direction of our lives to a certain extent, but there are always external factors beyond our control that can impact our lives.

For example, a sudden illness, a job loss, or a natural disaster can all significantly impact our lives, and there’s very little we can do to prevent or change these events. We can only respond and adapt to the circumstances we are presented with.

Furthermore, even our choices are often influenced by external factors such as our upbringing, our environment, and the people around us. We may think we’re making a decision based on our own free will, but in reality, our decisions are often shaped by these external factors.

This isn’t to say that we’re powerless in our lives. We can still make choices and take actions that align with our values and aspirations. We can choose to pursue our passions, build meaningful relationships, and contribute to our communities.

However, we need to recognize that there are limits to what we can control. We can’t control the weather, the economy, or other people’s actions. We can only control our own thoughts, feelings, and actions.

Accepting that life has its own course can be liberating. It can free us from the burden of trying to control everything and allow us to focus on the things we can control. It can also help us to be more present and mindful in our lives, as we learn to appreciate the moments that we have and the people around us.

As an example of how life has its own course, I can recall a personal episode that happened to me not too long ago. My wife and I had planned to spend the night assembling a piece of furniture for our bedroom. We were both excited about the project and looking forward to working together.

As we began the assembly process, I accidentally slipped and hit my finger with the screwdriver. The pain was immediate and intense, and I knew that I had hurt myself badly. I tried to shake it off and continue with the project, but the pain was too much to bear.

We had to change our plans for the night. Instead of continuing with the furniture assembly, we had to focus on getting me the necessary medical attention. It was a minor injury, but it still required some first aid and a few hours of rest.

This experience reminded me that no matter how well we plan, life can always throw unexpected obstacles our way. In those moments, it’s important to adapt and make the best of the situation.