"Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the face" -- Mike Tyson. This is one of my favorite quotes of all time, and one that I regularly look back on, especially when I feel like nothing is going right and I'm severely unlucky. No matter how well we have our plans mapped out, there will also be detours that change those plans.

These could be as simple as missing an exit on the freeway and getting to your destination later than expected, or something more life-altering, such as contracting a serious medical condition or losing a job you've held for years. Life is unpredictable, which can make you feel angry and discouraged. However, life's unpredictability is also what makes it exciting and worthwhile.

For instance, think about how your dreams and perceptions have changed from the time you were a kid to now. When I was seven years old, I aspired to be an ice cream man.

While I have the utmost respect for the men and women in the field of ice cream transportation and distribution, it isn't necessarily what I want to spend my life doing. However, my desire to make people happy remains intact. In one way or another, we have all changed our minds, and will likely change our minds occasionally throughout our lives.

While these are controllable variables in our lives, there are also uncontrollable variables, such as getting injured at work or experiencing a break-up with a partner you thought you would be with long-term. These may seem like negatives, but could also lead to new and exciting opportunities.

An interesting example of this is the story of world-renowned filmmaker George Lucas. As a huge Star Wars fan, I couldn't imagine life without the space opera franchise that took the world by storm with the first film, "Episode IV: A New Hope," released back in 1977. Before wanting to pursue film making professionally, Lucas dreamed of being a race car driver, racing on the underground circuit in high school.

After getting broadsided by another driver, Lucas's car flipped, nearly killing him, causing him to reconsider a profession in racing. As traumatic as this experience was, it led to Lucas becoming one of the most successful filmmakers in Hollywood and conceiving some of the best films in American history ("American Graffiti" being my all-time favorite).

Not matter what life throws at you, there are always people out there, willing to hold out a helping hand to get you back on your feet. Rather than dwell on mistakes or missed opportunities in the past, we need to look forward and continue to move forward. Surround yourself with good people and hold your head up high.

In terms of life-altering curve balls, hurricane Harvey was a tremendous one that left its mark on Texas. My prayers go out to all of the families that are without homes and have lost loved ones due to the flooding. At the time of writing this, Florida is expecting the brutality of hurricane Irma. To all of my fellow Floridians, please stay safe and be prepared for what is to come.