You will never live without the unexpected. Good and bad, you will be blindsided by events you neither expected nor imagined possible.

Because these events are surprising by nature, no amount of anticipation can prepare us for the rush of emotions that follow.

We battle against discomfort and pain to avoid getting hurt, and struggle feebly to hold on to every pleasurable moment in hopes of lasting happiness.

But what is going to happen will happen. And what happens will eventually pass.

The best we can do is ride the wave. And when it recedes, we learn from it to better ride the next one.