The only real things in life is the unexpected things. Everything

The words of Watkin Tudor Jones — "The only real things in life is the unexpected things. Everything else is just an illusion." — strike like lightning across the calm sky of ordinary thought. In them lies a paradox both unsettling and liberating: that life’s deepest truths reveal themselves not in the plans we craft, nor in the illusions of control we build, but in the unexpected, the unbidden, the moments we could not foresee. All else, he tells us, is but the fragile fabric of illusion — the routines, the certainties, the false securities with which we cloak ourselves.

The origin of this insight comes from the ancient tension between human desire for order and the reality of chaos. From the earliest myths, men sought to tame the unpredictability of life by creating systems, rituals, and rules to keep fear at bay. Yet fate, fortune, and chance always intervened. Jones, in his blunt and modern voice, echoes the wisdom of those old philosophers who knew that man cannot truly master destiny. The unexpected — whether in tragedy or in miracle — is what reminds us that life is real, raw, and alive.

History gives us countless examples. Consider the voyage of Christopher Columbus, who sought a route to Asia and instead stumbled upon the Americas. This unexpected discovery reshaped the entire world, changing the destiny of nations. The plans of kings and merchants were illusions compared to the force of chance that altered the course of history. So it is with us all: the events we do not foresee often matter more than the plans we hold tightly.

Or recall the story of Alexander Fleming, who by accident discovered penicillin when mold contaminated his experiments. The unexpected occurrence, dismissed at first as a mistake, became one of the greatest medical breakthroughs in human history, saving millions of lives. Had he clung only to his preconceived expectations, he might have thrown it away. But in seeing truth in the unexpected, he embraced what was real. Thus, the greatest gifts often arrive not by design but by surprise.

The meaning of the quote is also deeply personal. Our lives are filled with illusions — the illusion of permanence in relationships, the illusion of security in wealth, the illusion of certainty in plans. Yet all can shatter in an instant. The death of a loved one, the meeting of a stranger, the sudden opportunity, the unforeseen loss — these unexpected events pierce the illusion and reveal life in its truest form. They humble us, awaken us, and force us to see what is essential.

The lesson for us is this: do not cling too tightly to the illusions of control. Prepare for life, yes, but know that it is the unexpected that will define you. When fortune shifts, embrace it with courage. When setbacks come, do not despair, for in them may lie the seed of growth. When blessings arrive unlooked-for, cherish them as sacred gifts. The unexpected is not the enemy of life — it is its pulse, its mystery, its reality.

What, then, should you do in practice? Live with openness. Do not fear surprise, but welcome it. Train your heart to be resilient, so that shocks do not shatter you but strengthen you. Practice gratitude for the unplanned joys, and acceptance of the unforeseen trials. Above all, remain flexible in spirit, for the rigid break when the winds of the unexpected blow, but the supple bend and rise again.

Thus let this wisdom endure: the only real things in life are the unexpected things. They strip away illusion and reveal the essence of existence. Do not resist them, but walk with them as companions. For in the unexpected, you will find the truest proof that you are alive — fragile, yet enduring; uncertain, yet capable of wonder.