Why I Hate Surprises
Start writing a post
Entertainment

Why I Hate Surprises

There's nothing better than a good old "Spoiler Alert"

648
Why I Hate Surprises
Nicholassparks.wikia.com

A couple of summers ago I decided I wanted to read through every Nicholas Sparks novel. Well, not every Nicholas Sparks novel. I wanted to read every novel that did not end in a main character’s death or the permanent separation of the lead couple. With that in mind, I googled the endings of all of the novels and made a list of the ones with happy endings.

This is not unusual for me. In fact, I am well known by my friends and family as the person who reads the last page of a book before the first. I am also known for spoiling the endings for people who are not as proactive as me. (To my high school sophomore English class: I apologize, once again.)

I have been this way for as long as I can remember, and I’m pretty sure it has to do with my extreme dislike of surprises. What’s even worse than surprises, though, is knowing that I’m going to be surprised but not knowing when or how. I need to know everything that is going to happen and when it is going to happen, or I may very well go crazy.

If I were to try and dig deeper and be all philosophical, I could probably say that my hatred of surprises stems from my intense fear of disappointment. If I know everything that’s going to happen, I can prepare myself for both the best and the worst case scenarios.

Unfortunately, I can’t always get my way. Sometimes surprises sneak up on me, and I have to learn to adjust. This has gotten easier with time, but I am still no expert. I can clearly remember the day, a couple of summers ago, that I started to read Message in a Bottle, the one Nicholas Sparks book that I didn’t bother looking up (I thought the plotline was too similar to The Lucky One). A friend had told me that it was really good, but she couldn't remember if anyone died. I gave it the benefit of the doubt and started to read.

So there I was, sitting in my living room, reading the book. As I got further and further in, I started to pick up on some possible foreshadowing (and not the good kind). Starting to panic, I flipped through the book to read ahead…

Now, for those of you with a desire to read Message in a Bottle, I will not say what happens. But let me just say that it wasn’t good. As soon as I read the words that I had been trying to avoid that whole summer, I threw the book across the room. How could this happen?? Why would Nicholas Sparks do that?? HOW??? WHY?? I was not prepared for that to happen. I felt completely and utterly helpless and disappointed.

What my little Nicholas Sparks mishap taught me, though, was that it’s impossible for me to always be prepared. I know that it's just a book, but sometimes my desire for spoilers sneaks into my everyday life, whether or not I want it to. What's different between life and books, though, is that it’s impossible for me to know everything that is going to happen in life. I am no mind reader and I can't predict the future. I definitely can't google what's going to happen. That leaves me stuck in the present and vulnerable to any unexpected situation that may come my way.

I don't have to be entirely unprepared, though. I have learned that each new situation I face is an opportunity to apply what I've learned from situations past. As life takes its twists and turns, I can remain hopeful by knowing that no matter what, I will never be left abandoned and helpless. After all, I've got the best Father in the universe by my side! I may not know every little detail of my life, but He sure does, and He's looking out for me in ways that I can't do for myself.

Does this mean I'm going to stop spoiling the endings of books and movies? Probably not. What it does mean, though, is that there is no spoiler alert for life. There is, however, an awesome Father who will protect you and comfort you when life throws you those curveballs.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

58653
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

37815
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

959379
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

194505
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments