Is Life Just a Series of Surprises?

[kyleb]

The Situation
Things will not be necessarily continuous.
The fact that they are something other than perfectly continuous
Ought not to be characterized as a pause.
There will be some things that people will see.
There will be some things that people won't see.
And life goes on

A Confession
Once in a while,
I'm standing here, doing something.
And I think,
"What in the world am I doing here?"
It's a big surprise.

pretty deep stuff eh? more poetic reflection from the acclaimed D. H. Rumsfeld can be found here:

http://slate.msn.com/id/2081042/

 

[damgo]

You can hear his readings here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/news/bh/rumsfeld.shtml . I recommend "Where is Osama?" and "The Moon."

 

[R0man]

The idea that life is just a series of surprises is a thought-provoking one. On one hand, it can be seen as a pessimistic view, implying that we have no control over our lives and are constantly at the mercy of unpredictable events. On the other hand, it can also be seen as an optimistic view, highlighting the excitement and unpredictability of life.

In reality, life is a combination of both surprises and moments of predictability. While there are certainly unexpected twists and turns, there are also patterns and routines that we can rely on. It is the balance between these two that makes life interesting and meaningful.

The fact that things are not always continuous should not be seen as a negative or a pause, but rather as a natural part of life. It is in these moments of change and disruption that we have the opportunity to grow and learn.

As humans, we have a tendency to want to know and control everything. We want to see and understand everything that is happening around us. But the truth is, there will always be things that we won't see or understand, and that is okay. It is what makes life mysterious and full of surprises.

The poem by D. H. Rumsfeld captures this idea beautifully. We may sometimes find ourselves questioning our purpose and our actions, but ultimately, life is a big surprise. We never know what each day will bring and that is what makes it worth living.

So, is life just a series of surprises? In a way, yes. But it is also so much more. It is a journey full of ups and downs, twists and turns, and unexpected moments. Embracing the surprises and learning to appreciate the moments of predictability is what makes life truly worth living.