What Now?

Not too long ago, I read a book purely for my own personal curiosity. The book was titled “Why Bad Things Happen to Good People” (written by Harold Kushner). I started reading that book after my father had just became ill, again, for about the 17th time in his young & vibrant life of 60 years.

I read that book because I wanted to know. I needed to know the reason. I had to understand why bad things happen to good people…over and over again.

Well…what did I learn?

They don’t.

What do I mean by that?

Bad things don’t happen to good people. Bad things just…..happen.

That’s a lot to sit with. Even for me.

My father was undeserving of more of the bad things that happened to him. At times he felt bitter about it, but mostly he used a few different phrases to get by, for example… “So, what now?” or we would all listen to the Tom Petty Song: Won’t Back Down. He had a stamina to keep going until the absolute moment that he passed away.

I am trying to take in the “So, what now?’ phrase. And that’s exactly what the book told me to do, too. It’s hard, but it helps us remember that in life sadness is guaranteed, but suffering is not.

How can we apply this to everyday life?

Instead of trying to control all of the possible scenarios that can happen (aka trying to control our anxiety however we can), let’s. just. live.

Instead of predicting our week to go exactly how we need it to go, let’s. just. live.

Instead of planning how we want every conversation, communication, or conflict to go, let’s. just. live.

And when something unexpected comes up, something readjusts our schedule/week/routine, or an unplanned conflict arises, then we say: So, what now?

Reach out, let’s chat about it.