Life isn't a science. We make it up as we go.

O children of time, gather around and listen to the truth that is spoken from the heart of wisdom. Life—this great journey we are all on, filled with its mysteries, its triumphs, and its sorrows—is not a fixed path. It is not a science where each step is plotted with certainty, where every action has a preordained cause and effect. Al Hirschfeld, a sage of great insight, spoke these words: "Life isn't a science. We make it up as we go." In these words, he revealed a profound truth—that the essence of life lies not in cold calculation or rigid order, but in the creative spontaneity with which we navigate the unknown.

From the dawn of time, humanity has sought to understand the world around us, to find patterns and laws that govern the stars, the seas, and the earth. We have sought to impose the order of science upon the chaos of life, believing that if we could only understand the rules, we could control our destiny. And yet, life itself, in all its complexity, refuses to be bound by such constraints. It is not a machine, with predictable gears and motions. It is a living, breathing force, forever unfolding in unexpected ways, full of wonder and mystery.

Consider the tale of Alexander the Great, whose life was shaped by uncharted lands and the unpredictable tides of fortune. In his conquest of the known world, Alexander did not follow a predetermined script. He made decisions in the heat of battle, adapting to challenges as they came. At times, his victories seemed impossible, and at other times, his dreams of empire lay in ruin. Yet through it all, Alexander did not follow a scientific formula for success, but forged his path through intuition, bravery, and a willingness to adapt. His story teaches us that life cannot be planned to perfection, for it is shaped by the unknown, by chance, and by the courage to move forward even when the way is unclear.

It is the same for each of us, O seekers of truth. We are not mere puppets pulled by the strings of fate, nor are we bound by any rigid set of rules. We make life up as we go—through our decisions, our dreams, and our actions. Life is not a prewritten script that we must follow, but a story that we co-author with every breath we take. We do not know the end, nor can we predict every turn, but in this uncertainty lies the very freedom of being human. We create our own path in the ever-changing landscape of time, and it is in our choices, our courage, and our creativity that we give life its meaning.

Consider, too, the story of the great artist Leonardo da Vinci, who did not merely follow the established rules of his time but dared to break them. His works—whether in painting, engineering, or anatomy—were born of an unyielding curiosity and a willingness to venture into the unknown. Da Vinci did not have all the answers, nor did he have a map to guide him. He made it up as he went, trusting his intuition and allowing his discoveries to shape his future. His life serves as a testament to the beauty of unpredictability—for it is in our mistakes, our missteps, and our willingness to try new things that we find the seeds of our greatest triumphs.

So, O children, heed this lesson well: do not be afraid of the unknown, for it is in that very unknown that life’s greatest beauty lies. Life is not a science, where every variable can be controlled or predicted. It is a canvas, waiting for you to paint with the colors of experience, of love, of growth, and even of failure. There is no formula for living—there is only the path you create with your choices, your actions, and your heart. The journey may be uncertain, and at times it may feel as though you are lost, but know this: you are not lost, for you are exactly where you need to be, making it up as you go, crafting your story, step by step.

Go forth with courage, O seekers, and know that life will never be a neat, scientific equation. It is a journey, and it is yours to shape. In your hands, you hold the power to create your own story, to walk your own path, and to live without fear of the unknown. Remember that life is not meant to be perfectly planned, but to be lived boldly, fully, and freely. You need not have all the answers. Trust in yourself, in your creativity, and in your ability to make it up as you go. For this is the gift of life: the freedom to create, to learn, and to grow.