"لا يمكننا توجيه الرياح ولكن يمكننا ضبط الأشرعة"

You know, life tends to throw a lot of unpredictable stuff at us. Sometimes it feels like we’re just out there in the ocean, getting tossed around by the waves. That’s pretty much what this quote is getting at. We can’t control everything that happens to us—the wind, if you will—but we do have the power to change how we respond to those situations.

This idea has been around for ages, though the exact origin of the saying is unclear. It’s one of those bits of wisdom that gets passed down because it just makes sense and resonates with so many people. Think about sailors navigating the sea. They can’t change the direction or strength of the wind, but they’ve learned to work with it, to adjust their sails so they still get where they need to go. It’s a powerful metaphor for life.

Let's bring it into a real-world scenario. Say you're working on a big project at your job. You’ve put in a ton of effort, and then—bam!—a key team member quits, or a client changes the entire project scope. You can't change what just happened. That’s the wind. But what you can do is figure out a new plan, redistribute tasks, or maybe even pull in some new resources. That’s adjusting your sails. It’s about resilience and flexibility.

So how can you apply this wisdom to your own life? Start by accepting that some things are out of your control. Seriously, that’s a big one. It’s like trying to control the weather—you’ll just end up frustrated. Instead, focus on what you can control: your reactions, your mindset, your actions.

If you hit a roadblock, don’t waste time and energy lamenting what you can’t change. Instead, pivot. Ask yourself, "What’s my next best move?" It’s all about being proactive rather than reactive. For example, if you lose your job, instead of spiraling into despair, take it as an opportunity to find something you’re even more passionate about. Use the time to up-skill or network. Adjust those sails.

Now, let’s imagine a relatable scenario. Picture Jenny. She’s in her final year of college and has her heart set on a prestigious internship. She’s done everything right—aced her classes, volunteered, networked. But she doesn’t get the spot. She’s devastated. That’s the wind. So what does she do? After a couple of days of moping (that’s human), she pulls herself together and starts looking at other opportunities. She finds a different internship, maybe not as prestigious, but it ends up teaching her valuable skills and leading to unexpected connections. By the end of the summer, she realizes this path was better suited for her after all. Jenny adjusted her sails.

Life’s unpredictable, and setbacks are inevitable. But by focusing on how you respond to those setbacks, you’ll find that you have more control over your journey than you might have thought. So next time the wind changes, don’t get discouraged. Just adjust your sails and keep moving forward. It’s all part of the adventure.