Consistency is something we all crave. We all enjoy being able to be comfortable in our day-to-day lives. There isn’t a better feeling than knowing that you have everything under control. With this being said, change is often feared by young adults and college students like myself.
Even though we are told to expect the unexpected, no one can be prepared for the surprising events that take place in our lives. We fail to realize is that these events are all-together inevitable.
Something could occur that wrecks everything you thought you wanted. An event can happen that turns your world upside down. It could be getting your heart broken by someone who you thought was “the one,” or even getting declined from the major you worked so diligently to get into. They can cause you to feel lost, generate fear and produce brokenness.
But don’t let these mishaps discourage you. Instead, embrace the unexpected.
If we view these abrupt changes as blessings in disguise, it is easier to have a more positive outlook on life. Unexpected events have all-in-all been given a horrible reputation. This is because change is more often than not associated with the bad, rather than the good.
Understanding that change can be good is so important... It can help you realize what you really want to get out of life and can grow you into a strong, independent individual.
They broke your heart? Be thankful for the clarity that it wasn’t meant to be. The person that you will eventually end up with shouldn’t hurt you. You didn’t get into the major you wanted? Explore your other academic options and find something else you’re passionate about. This could be a better option for your future career.
It's a scary and unfamiliar thing to appreciate your struggles, but it will make you stronger than ever before.
When embracing the unexpected, I always turn to the Serenity Prayer by Reinhold Niebuhr for encouragement.
“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; Courage to change the things I can; And wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace.”
Since there are unexplainable things that occur daily in todays society, I have never truly understood the saying, "everything happens for a reason." But what I do know is that being optimistic when unexpected events occur is one of the best things you can do to enhance the quality of your life.
Even if embracing the hardships isn’t easy, it is most definitely worth it.
