I believe we choose our fate. But the ironic and coincidental experiences we have and appreciate, are what ground us.
I consider myself a symbolic thinker. I think and rethink the smallest things, and I find meaning in places I never would have at first glance. The irony I find in situations wakes me up, and levels me out when I feel I don’t have complete control over my situation. “Happiness is a choice” is a quote I’ve debated for such a long time. I choose to agree and disagree with the statement.
I don’t consider myself really religious, but it also pisses me off to think that there isn’t some greater something dropping hints on how to get the most out of life here and there.
In terms of choosing to be happy—our moods are without a doubt, products of our own personal choices. Every portion of our environment also has a say in our daily outlooks on life. We must choose to surround ourselves with the people, things, ideas, and activities that better us as human beings.
Hopefully, the majority of us eager to enter our twenties have had a taste of overwhelmingly good and overwhelmingly bad experiences by now. Whether they be emotional, physical, spiritual, sexual, you name it– the ups and downs of every experience leave us with empty spaces to better understand ourselves; moments of contemplation, of inner understandings, and ultimately, growth.
It’s the spaces between these monumental moments that let the ironic, coincidental, and unexpected to slip into our lives. I appreciate these. It would surprise me if no one knew what I’m talking about.
Here’s a list of some unexpected happenings I’ve come to appreciate in my short life.
Maybe you’ve experienced them too.
- Not seeking out new music, and stumbling upon a song that perfectly describes your current mood.
- Minding your own business, only to learn more than you ever wished you did.
- Walking with your head down, to find an upside penny you interpret as good luck.
- Sitting alone, to be unexpectedly greeted by someone that went through a situation identical to yours.
- Giving up, only to find more motivation than you had before.
- Missing a deceased relative, to be greeted by a sight, sound, or smell that immediately brings them back to you.
- Over-sleeping and missing class, only to receive an email that it was cancelled anyway.
- Avoiding something as much as possible, to have every part of your day serve as a reminder like multiple, swift punches to the face.
- Learning a new word you’ve never heard before, and suddenly hearing it everywhere.
- Randomly reading something that somehow is exactly what you needed to hear.
Photo Credit: Tierney McGilvray