“Creativity comes from looking for the unexpected and stepping outside your own experience” - Masaru Ibuka
It took an hour for them to ride to their favourite restaurant. But when they reached there it was closed. It was never expected to be closed on a Saturday evening. No one knows the reason. The only explanation is that the unexpected always happens! When things go on expected lines, life moves on smoothly. Most people like life to be just the usual routine, go on in the likely and probable manner, and nothing unexpected occurs. In this way, there is less tension and worry, more smoothness and flow of life. But think of it! When life is all smooth and moving only on expected, usual, routine and probable lines, can there be any thrill? Sticking to and moving on a daily routine is easy, but one soon gets fed up and bored of it. On the contrary, the unexpected events bring variety, colour and pleasant surprises to life. Flexibility is the key to facing the unexpected.
An unexpected guest, the unexpected arrival of a baby, an unexpected examination result, a job offer, a good crop, a marriage proposal, a successful venture, a summer rain, etc., can be causes for celebration. Sometimes the unexpected turn of events in life can save us from an impending danger or embarrassment, such as an accident, a wrong decision, a careless relationship, etc. It was said that the unexpected delay in the arrival of a train saved several people from being trapped in the 9/11 tragedy. But there are also negative and unwelcome unexpected happenings, such as, an illness, the death of a dear one, a natural calamity, set back in business, crop failure, betrayal by a friend, break up in marriage, bad behaviour by children, etc. These can turn our lives upside down and take us to the rock bottom. At such turn of events which are totally unexpected, we become powerless and hopeless, lose sight of our goal and unable to pick up the threads and move ahead. But even such happenings can have their positive outcomes. They can teach us of the hard realities of life and make us stronger in our resolve to move on; help us make positive decisions as they provide a second chance to begin life all over again. They can also make us more flexible, understanding and accommodative. That's the reason those in military training, police force, management, aviation, etc., are taught always to expect the unexpected.
