Unpredictability - Issue 20 - 31st July 2022
As I sit here beside the window of my flat in the centre of Edinburgh, rain battering the window, I am reminded of the unpredictability of the world. One minute it’s sweltering outside, people complaining that it’s too hot, thenext, the heavens open and we are drenched to the skin whilst we walk home, livid in our t-shirts and shorts. The world can be a very uneasy and unpredictable place to live, however the practice of embracing struggle leads us to a path of anticipation and calm. We can prepare ourselves for whatever the world throws at us, because we’ve been struggling this whole time, so what’s some unpredictable struggle going to do? It will only make us stronger, but only if we let it. The unfortunate binary of the world is that theburden of suffering can break one and reinforce another. It’s down to you to decide which one you’ll be. Will you be the one who bitches and complains on their way to retirement, or will you buckle up, (wo)man up and achieve something meaningful, never thinking of retirement because life is worth living now, in the present, not longing for a future of old age and inaction.
The unfortunate binary of the world is that the burden of suffering can break one and reinforce another
When you allow the unpredictability of the world to hammer you down, you start to blame others or luck or your upbringing or your parents or your society or your race or your gender for your inaction and for your unfulfilled potential, but when you embrace struggle and work on yourself, you can say to the world “keep going, I’m built for this.” Rather than “my parents are to blame for my failures” or “I’m just an unlucky person so why should I bother?” Ever noticed that the ones who bitch and moan are also the lazy ones, the ones with little ambition, the ones who settle into a job they hate then decry the world for putting them there? Those are the people to avoid, because it can be so very easy to be pulled into their world of regret, complaints and cynicism and become what you feared you’d become: an unfulfilled cynic.
Once you’ve embraced the world of struggle and you’re working hard everyday, the seemingly bad luck that comes your way will not seem like bad luck, it will be shrugged off through the acceptance of the unpredictable world. Sometimes you get all green lights on your way home, sometimes you don’t. It’s not your bad luck that makes that so, it’s your perspective. You rarely notice when they’re green, but when they’re red, you’re infuriated and it seems like they are always red when you arrive at them. When another wrongs you, instead of bitching behind their back, you should accept that you cannot predict the behaviour of others, but you can change your reaction. An awareness of this unpredictability can work in your favour. Maybe you have a quiet word with the individual in question to voice your thoughts. Maybe they hadn’t been told this about their behaviour and they try to change. You have just made the world better and it did not involve complaints or anger or gossip. Nothing meaningful every happened with people gossiping. This form of calm, reasoned thought processes is theantidote to this unpredictable world not emotional and neurotic whining.
Whilst we’re on the subject of unpredictability, there’s a famous quote by Oscar Wilde which reads
If you want to be a grocer, or a general, or a politician, or a judge, you will invariably become it; that is your punishment. If you never know what you want to be, if you live what some might call the dynamic life but what I will call the artistic life, if each day you are unsure of who you are and what you know you will never become anything, and that is your reward
It’s crucial to view the unpredictability of the world as a perk not a burden, because you can use it to your advantage. Another quote springs to mind from Australian comedian Tim Minchin, “Most people I know who were sure of their career path at twenty are having mid-life crises now.” So experiment, better yourself in other arenas other than the one you’re best in. Don’t close doors. Leave some open and have options.
Keep On Struggling
Gregor
Cover I’m Enjoying - Losing My Religion by HCK9
This is a great cover that completely alters REM’s hit by making it an epic and motivational piece of music.
Listen Below.
Coffee I’m Enjoying - Cafepod
I recently stocked up on coffee pods as they were going cheap at TK Maxx. I’m looking forward to the day that I can own a beautiful bean to cup coffee machine, however until that day comes, my trusty Nespresso machine will have to do. These pods from Cafepod are great, producing a smooth and strong coffee. They have a great selection online.
Have a Look at Their Website Below.
Image I’m Studying
I stumbled across this image whilst researching Christianity and thesymbols and stories within the Bible and it carries such deep and meaningful themes. The most profound aspect of the image I have discovered so far is the boundary between chaos and order. Like theman in the image, we must keep two feet planted within what we know and the ordered whilst peeking through towards chaos and the unknown. That’s the route to progress.
Learn More About The Image & It’s Story Below.