IMAGINE that you are seated on a train that is constantly moving and has no windows. You have been on this train for as long as you can remember, but you do not know its destination. You are surrounded by people who are equally unaware of the direction of the train. Every individual has their own belief about the destination of the train, and they each find ways to pass the time. Some become depressed by the lack of control they have, while others seem to enjoy it. Some believe that a knowledgeable driver is controlling the train, while others believe that the train moves by itself. If you were a passenger on this train, what would you spend your time dreaming about?

Life is a train with an unknown destination, and we are all passengers travelling within it. As young people, one of the most difficult lessons to digest is the fact that we can never fully control our lives. Just like passengers on a train, we can change the way in which we are seated, or we can move from one wagon to another. However, we cannot change the direction of the train or decide where it stops. Eventually, everyone arrives at a destination and leaves just as they entered the train.

Have you ever observed a tall stalk of grass in the wind? Regardless of how gentle the breeze is, the stalk bends at its touch. Unlike giant trees, it appears weak. Nevertheless, the seemingly malleable nature of the grass is what allows it to survive the fiercest storms, for things that cannot bend when needed will only end up breaking. Although perseverance and a little temerity are surely important, knowing the right time to relinquish control is a truly valuable skill.

The strange truth is that life does not define us. Life is only a vehicle. Neither the destination nor the journey matters as much as the traveller himself. Thus, we must stop the meaningless process of attempting to define ourselves using our position in the journey or our predictions of a destination. Instead, we must begin teaching ourselves to become the type of person capable of retaining their values regardless of the situation faced. A stalk of grass can bend in the wind to ensure its survival but also bounce back to its original state once the wind has passed. Accepting the randomness of life does not mean giving up who we are. Instead, it means gaining the understanding that, just as we cannot change life, life should not be allowed to change us.

Life is filled with obstacles that remind us of our lack of control. As we face these obstacles, we will gradually become aware that lacking control does not mean lacking stability. If you were a passenger on the mysterious train, would you rather spend your time dreaming about reaching a destination filled with everything you love or fearing the worst? When we realise we cannot control life, we will also soon notice the things we can control—our thoughts, actions, and dreams. Regardless of how hopeless life feels, our actions have an effect on the world, especially if they are consistent and fuelled by the passion of our dreams. A single action may not change our lives, but can give it meaning.

The home of Gen Z is a modern world where each new day is unpredictable. In this world, strength takes the form of hopefulness and the ability to withstand life’s forces without letting them change us for the worse. We have embraced the randomness of the world and allowed our culture to be influenced by its thrilling quality. Let us, as a generation, continue redefining the unpredictable nature of life as one of the beauties of human experience rather than a difficult obstacle to overcome.