Nineteenth century American humorist Josh Billings once said, "Life consists not in holding good cards but in playing those you hold well."
If I have learned only one thing in my 23 years of life, it is that almost nothing goes the way we expect. In fact, during this period of our lives, it might be safe to say that absolutely nothing will be as we expect it to be.
All students have expectations upon entering college. Common expectations are along the lines of learn something, have a lot of fun, make lifelong friends, find oneself, maybe fall in love, land a great job and graduate - thus leaving all uncertainty behind - then begin professional life.
It occurs to me that those of us who set out with these and similar expectations are missing one thing: Most often, life does not go according to plan. Many of us hold too tightly to those expectations and are unwilling to see our lives take a different turn. In reality, it seems life is most often better because it did not go according to plan.
Five years ago, I did not expect to ever consider running for student government in college. Just this week, I cleaned out my desk after a year as an executive officer. I never expected to become anything resembling a writer, yet writing has become a defining part of who I am. A more recent unexpected turn of events finds me months into the job search and yet to secure a single interview. While I did not expect to walk right into a job, I had no idea it would be this difficult and frustrating.
On a more personal front, I most definitely had no expectation of falling in love with the boy I ruthlessly dumped via Instant Messenger during my freshman year. Two weeks ago, he proposed - blowing my expectations out of the water.
Most college students can share similar stories of expectations differently fulfilled. But we must realize that "differently fulfilled" is not the same as "unfulfilled," as it can actually bring about more desirable results than anyone anticipated.
The key to dealing with differently fulfilled expectations is living in the moment. The more we focus on tomorrow, the less we will enjoy today.
No one should have time for regretting the past or worrying about the future. Life is here and now. To steal an idea from a favorite musical, "Rent," we are guaranteed "no day but today."
This is not to say planning for tomorrow is useless. Everyone should have goals and plans for the future. However, no one should be consumed by them or devastated if things happen differently. Some of the best things that happen in a person's life happen by accident.
As Billings suggests, we should focus on playing our cards well. This means we take the bad with the good, the unexpected with the expected, and we live life to the fullest.
Life will be what it will be, whether you worry about it or not - and it is good to learn this sooner, rather than later.
Your life journey will be much more enjoyable if it is approached with a willingness to adapt and change with each bend in the road.
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