Life is funny and surprising

It's strange how life works. I mean, most of us live day-to-day with a belief that we have some purpose and direction. Even those of us who are not particularly focused seem to have goals, even if they might seem rather unambitious to others. But life has an odd way of throwing situations at us that force us to transform. The trick is to not try to fight things we do not have any hope of changing; to understand that life is like a river, and at times we are swept along the current. I know that sounds counter-productive. I know that there are tons of books out there written by people with purportedly more credentials than I that tell us we must always strive and fight for what we want. You know what, anyone who has actually LIVED understands that single-mindedness is ridiculous...and ultimately destructive. Those who do not learn to allow life to happen sometimes, are usually doomed to suffer a major shock when their world twists around them. Britney Spears is a perfect example. Life threw something at her she didn't expect, and to quote The Hives

Tick Tick Tick Tick Tick Tick Tick … Boom!!

Yeah, yeah, yeah
I was right you were wrong
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Going, going you’re gone!
I saw you yesterday, waiting too much
Till it slipped through your hands
And then you stagger to your feet and out the door
‘Cause there’s no second chance!

Her ordeal is, of course, an example of a life gone awry. It isn't all doom and gloom. Sometimes life grants, not so much throws, you something unexpected that could turn out to be the best thing that ever happened to you. Oh, it can fundamentally change everything, and like any change, can have repercussions that cause you or people you care about some pain, but pain is not always a bad thing. It is how we deal with the pain that can be the problem.

Personally, I acknowledge that I have made stupid decisions and choices in my life. Some that have caused pain to me, and certainly others. But I believe I have learned from each and every one of them. If not, then I am not as smart as my ego has allowed me to think I am.

I think life has granted me something recently that might fundamentally shift my life. I am not sure what will happen, but I think I will just lay back in my boat, cradle my head in my hands as I stare upwards, and let the current take me where it will. I think I will enjoy the ride for once. Just in case, though, I better bring along a life jacket.