Be prepared for the surprises

I have been reading the book "Same as Ever" by Morgan Housel for the past few days. I can't express how thoughtfully it has been written.

Picking up a chapter from the same book, Risk is what you don’t see.

Not the kind you see coming, but the surprises. And it's these unseen surprises that often have the biggest impact.

Think about the events that have truly changed the course of history – Covid19, 9/11, Pearl Harbor, The Great Depression. What do they all have in common? They were surprises. No one saw them coming until they were upon us.

Chances are, you've experienced your own personal surprises too. Those unexpected moments that catch you off guard, changing your path in ways you couldn't have anticipated.

The truth is, we can't predict the future. But we can prepare for it, both the good and the bad.

Sharing an incident from 2019. We were all set for our Shoonya Festival, a celebration of nothingness. But just a day before it was to begin, tragedy struck. A bus, carrying passengers from nearby villages, fell into a valley just 7 kilometers from our venue. Many lives were lost in an instant.

We could never have anticipated such a heartbreaking event. Yet, there it was, a harsh reminder of life's unpredictability.

In response, we shifted the entire tone of the festival. Out of respect for those we lost and their families, we chose not to celebrate. Instead, we held a solemn, quiet gathering. It was a moment of reflection, of coming together in the face of unforeseen sorrow.

This experience taught me something crucial – being prepared isn't just about expecting the worst. It's about being ready to adapt, to respond with compassion and resilience when life throws its surprises at us.

So, as we move forward, let's carry this lesson with us. We may not know what the future holds, but we can face it with open hearts and minds, ready for whatever comes our way.

Until next time,

Love and light,

AJ

P.S. Life is full of unexpected turns. If you've faced a surprise that shifted your perspective, and you would like to share it with others, feel free to do so in the comments. Sharing our stories can help us navigate the uncertainties together.