I’ve been contemplating something recent: the unpredictability of life. Sure, we can anticipate the weather—at least somewhat. Meteorologists get it right about half the time, which isn’t exactly reassuring. And, well, I don’t spend sleepless nights worrying about asteroids smashing into my neighborhood. That’s a low probability event for me.
However, that said, life tends to throw curveballs more often than we can forecast.
Reassessing Plans
This reality is tough to swallow. We crave knowledge of what tomorrow holds. Planning gives us a sense of control and readiness. Civilization thrives on predictability; we have running water, medical services, grocery stores stocked with essentials, and traffic lights to prevent chaos on the roads. These conveniences improve our quality of life.
Still, not everything is so neatly defined.
Questions Abound
Last week, my wife and I welcomed our third child, our second daughter. The gender was a surprise—one we always seem to anticipate in some way. Now we finally have the answer. But there are countless unresolved questions.
Holding her close, I find myself wondering about the color of her eyes. Many babies, particularly those from European backgrounds, are born with gray or light blue eyes. Over time, those colors change. Our son has brown eyes, while our other daughter has blue. What will this little one inherit? I have no way of knowing.
As I gaze at her tiny hands and delicate features, I ponder who she will become. In that moment, she is a blank slate. What interests will she have? What challenges will she face? Who will be significant in her life? I can’t predict any of it. All I can do is hold her, support her, and help guide her journey.
A newborn feels like a fitting metaphor for life itself.
Expect the Unexpected
Looking back, my life has been full of surprises. I couldn’t have envisioned where I would be at 28—the job I would have, the family I would create, the place I would call home. At 18, I thought life followed a fixed path, but it turned out to be much more complex. Sure, some aspects were tougher than I anticipated, but many turned out far better.
This unpredictability extends to the wider world, too. I doubt anyone in 2005 could have envisioned the rise of AI by 2025, or predicted the social and political issues we face today. And who could have foreseen the pandemic that upended everything?
Embracing Uncertainty
Accepting life’s chaos doesn’t mean we shouldn’t strive for order and planning. Those efforts are foundational to civilization. Recognizing the uncontrollable elements of existence means embracing what we can’t change, echoing the wisdom of that famous Serenity Prayer.
Though it might be challenging at first to accept life’s unpredictability, once you move through that realization, it’s liberating. It’s a bit like gazing at a vast horizon filled with potential, or rolling down a window and feeling fresh air rush in as you drive. It also brings to mind the moment you look into your newborn’s eyes, grasping that her life is just beginning, teeming with possibilities.
And there’s something undeniably beautiful about that.
