Surprising Life

Who would have thought it would end up like this? tumblr.com image

If you live in the U.S. with access to major news outlets and social media channels, then you’re no doubt aware of the recent turn of events that celebrity chef Paula Deen has faced.

How many of you think that Deen would have imagined just a few weeks ago what now seems like a meteoric career descent and life fall?  Do you think Deen, at 66 years old, would have expected her recent life circumstance twist?

Regardless of the multi-layered controversy that surrounds the facts involved, Deen’s case is a reminder of life’s unpredictable nature and the ups and downs and triumphs and struggles that all of us must face during our lifetimes.

What about you?  How do you approach the fickle nature of life?

Does knowing that life will reveal both positive and negative experiences give you a more optimistic or pessimistic outlook?  And, have the unexpected realities of your life given you great or small expectations about your future?

I’ve heard older friends say, “nothing surprises me anymore,” and maybe it’s true that we are less surprised by unexpected happenings as we mature.

I don’t think the question to consider is whether life will or will not surprise us.  Rather, I think the more important question that we should be asking ourselves is: how can we surprise life?

We certainly face circumstances that happen “to us,” i.e. things that are totally beyond our control, but we can also help create our circumstances, good and bad.

To end this post on a positive note, what good are you going to show this world that it’s never seen?