Yesterday, two separate friends in different parts of the country experienced plan-altering events. For one, the decision of another impacted a larger picture: their livelihood. For the other, a mechanical failure closed the door on a dream. Both stories awoke memories of my own experiences, ones that shifted where I thought I was going, what I thought I was doing, and what kind of control I thought I had over the direction of my life.

In the past month or so, various home appliances have failed, nails have found their way into tires, older members of the family have fallen in both this country and another, while the smallest of our people have been clocked in the head with kitchen tools and face planted on the cement in the midst of previously gleeful moments. One of us got married, a child hit a first home run, another decided that cat ears were of vast important in everyday life.

There is always something happening, forever and a day we are surprised by events, good and bad. We are impacted by the decisions of others, forced to change our plans because of circumstances that sometimes positively bewilder. If there is one thing I have come to know, it’s that “expect the unexpected” is not a cliché; it’s a key factor in success.

The truth is, we don’t control anything but our mind. Some of us haven’t figured out exactly HOW to do this yet, but the secret is that we are in control of our reactions, our words, and our choices. When shit goes down, as it always does, it’s what we do next that matters. And often, I have found that what comes next is far, far better than what has left the building.

The hardest part is not letting the blast from an unfortunate moment linger. To allow the smoke to dissipate so that we can see the rubble that’s been left, and to look for the most stable amongst the broken pieces on which to rebuild – whether it’s a new dream or a new chapter of life. In times when I have been struck squarely between the eyes, my instinct is to keep them closed for a few moments, but then open them and begin to look for the next brick.

Blink, clear the picture, and dial in, but always with the understanding that things will certainly shift again. All you can do is be ready, for what comes next has the possibility of being the best there ever was.

Love you. xo