"J'aurais souhaité que cela ne soit pas arrivé de mon temps dit Frodon Moi aussi dit Gandalf et tous ceux qui vivent pour voir ces temps-là Mais ce n'est pas à eux de décider Tout ce que nous avons à décider c'est quoi faire du temps qui nous est donné"

Imagine you're sitting at a coffee shop with a friend, and they drop this quote from Tolkien's *The Lord of the Rings* on you. You might pause, sip your latte, and really let it sink in. What Frodo and Gandalf are getting at here is pretty profound. They're talking about those moments in life when things go off the rails—times of hardship and crisis we wish we could avoid. But here's the kicker: we don’t get to choose when these tough times come. Our power lies in how we respond to them.

Think about it. This quote popped up in *The Fellowship of the Ring*, when Middle-earth was on the brink of war. Frodo didn't sign up to be a hero, and he sure as hell didn't want to carry the burden of the One Ring. But he didn’t have a choice in the matter. What he could control was his reaction—how he chose to face the evil threatening his world.

Now, let’s bring this into the real world. Picture a nurse in 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic hit like a freight train. No one asked for it, and many of us wished it hadn't happened during our lifetime. But healthcare workers like nurses couldn't dodge it. They had to decide how to use their time and energy to help patients, often at great personal risk. They didn't choose the crisis, but they chose their response. They decided to step up, showing extraordinary courage and resilience.

So, how can you weave this wisdom into your own life? Start by accepting that some things are out of your control. Hard stuff happens—job losses, breakups, pandemics. Wishing it away doesn’t help. Instead, focus on your response. Ask yourself: What can I do right now? How can I turn this situation around, or at least make it bearable? It’s about playing the hand you’re dealt, not the hand you wish you had.

Imagine you’re dealing with an unexpected layoff. It’s a gut punch, right? You didn't choose this. But you can choose what to do next. Maybe you use this time to finally start that side hustle you've been dreaming about. Or you take a course to pivot into a new industry. It's not easy, but this mindset shift can transform how you handle challenges.

Let's take a walk down memory lane with a relatable story. Remember Harry? That guy from college who always seemed to land on his feet? Well, Harry got hit hard when his startup failed. It wasn’t just about losing a business; it was his dream, his baby. He had every right to wallow in self-pity. But instead, Harry took a beat, then decided to leverage his experience. He started consulting for other startups, guiding them through pitfalls he knew all too well. He didn’t choose the failure, but he chose to turn it into something valuable.

So, when life throws you a curveball—and it will—channel your inner Frodo. Accept the situation, even if it’s the last thing you wanted. Then figure out your next step. Use your time wisely. That's where your real power lies. And who knows? You might just come out the other side stronger, wiser, and ready for whatever comes next.