It takes some effort to remember that things can change in an instant. It may take even more effort to remember that most of the time, it has nothing to do with us.

It’s a presence of uncertainty most of us have forgotten. We’ve learned that the unexpected only happens in a minority of situations. It’s a way to have trust in the future and our ability to achieve what we set out to do.

Wanting something changes the picture.

It makes uncertainty more perceptible. It can remind us of the possibility of lacking the skills or of failing. Quite often it makes our dependence on others visible. And more importantly, it makes a price visible as wanting something also means giving up on other wants.

It might explain why quite often what will appear first is what we don’t want.

Instead of proactively inquiring into what it is we want and developing ideas on what it is that we want we rely on things to stay as they are. We avoid being confronted with the discomfort of the challenges wanting poses.