Unexpected
The unexpected happens to everyone, and it happens often. It can be experienced individually or collectively. A brief power outage or a debilitating prolonged one, like Puerto Rico is still experiencing almost a year after Hurricane Maria.
Traumatic events, personal and collective leave us struggling to find balance, to cope with loss, grief and often disbelief. Every day as I drive through the savagely scarred landscape of the unprecedented North Bay wildfires, I still experience disbelief. As with Puerto Rico, and countless other places throughout history and around the world, so much of the familiar is gone…and it will never be the same.
“No one is so brave that he is not disturbed by something unexpected.” ~Julius Caesar
“There are uses to adversity, and they don’t reveal themselves until tested. Whether it’s serious illness, financial hardship, or the simple constraint of parents who speak limited English, difficulty can tap unexpected strengths.” ~Sonia Sotomayor
The will to survive, to overcome, to move forward is compelling. The ‘Sonoma Strong’ movement in my community remains active; driven by a shared experience, and a fervent desire to forge ahead.
“You have to take risks. We will only understand the miracle of life fully when we allow the unexpected to happen.” ~Paulo Coelho
The unexpected seldom appears as major events, such as those referenced above. The mundane every day routine is sprinkled generously with unexpected moments. The traffic jam that makes you late for work; the carrots essential to a dish you are making are mysteriously gone; the air conditioner stops working on a really hot day; the garbage disposal is suddenly leaking water everywhere; the dryer stops working, leaving a load of wet clothes to deal with; the party you were so excited about attending is cancelled at the last minute…the list is never ending.
“The shortest period of time lies between the minute you put money away for a rainy day and the unexpected arrival of rain.” ~Jane Bryant Quinn
The will to overcome the unexpected is a strong characteristic of human beings.
“Spirituality can release blocks, lead you to ideas, and make your life artful. Sometimes when we pray for guidance, we’re guided in unexpected directions. We may want a lofty answer and we get the intuition to clean our bedroom. It can seem so humble and picky that you don’t necessarily think of it as spiritual guidance.” ~Julia Cameron
The profound and the mundane are intimate companions on our journey through the world of the unexpected.
Blessings!
