"La vie se passe où que vous soyez, que vous la créiez ou non."

Life is what you make of it, right? But here’s a twist—life is happening all around you, whether or not you’re actively shaping it. Imagine you’re in a boat on a river. You can paddle and steer, charting your own course, or you can simply float with the current. Either way, the river flows. That’s the essence of this quote. It’s not just about taking control, but also recognizing that events unfold around you regardless of your actions.

Let’s take a step back to understand why this idea matters. Often, we think we need to be in constant control of our lives, meticulously planning every detail. But sometimes, life has its own plans. This quote reminds us that while we can influence our path, we must also be open to the journey itself—embracing the unexpected and the unplanned.

Think about the era of the 1960s, a time of massive social change. People were protesting, fighting for civil rights, and exploring new ways of thinking. Whether individuals actively participated or not, history was being made. Those who got involved and those who stood on the sidelines were both swept along by the tides of change. Their lives were shaped by the same events, no matter what they did.

Now, let’s bring it down to a personal level. Imagine Sarah, a young woman who just graduated from college. She’s got big plans—land a dream job, get married, buy a house. But things don’t go as expected. She struggles to find work, her relationship falls apart, and she’s forced to move back home. Initially, she feels like a failure. But then, she starts volunteering at a local shelter, discovering a passion for helping others. She makes new friends, finds unexpected opportunities, and her life takes a turn she never could have planned. Despite her initial disappointments, her life was happening all around her, and she found joy and purpose in unexpected places.

So, how can you apply this in your own life? Start by letting go of the need to control everything. Set your goals, sure, but stay flexible. Be open to opportunities that come your way, even if they’re not part of your original plan. Sometimes, the best experiences come from the twists and turns you didn’t anticipate.

Here’s a little story to drive the point home. Picture you’re on a road trip with friends. You’ve got a route planned out, destinations mapped. But along the way, you stumble upon a quirky little town. There’s a festival going on—music, food, laughing kids. It wasn’t on your itinerary, but you decide to stop. You end up having an incredible day, making memories that last a lifetime. That’s life happening, right there. You could’ve stuck to your plan, but by being open to the moment, you experienced something magical.

In the end, it’s about balance. You don’t want to drift aimlessly, but you also don’t want to miss out on life’s spontaneous joys by clinging too tightly to your plans. Let life happen around you. Embrace the journey with all its unexpected detours. Because sometimes, those unplanned moments are the ones that make life truly worth living.