Q: ‘Que sera, sera’ - whatever will be, will be

   

The curve in the path only leads to someplace nice

   Often, the most complex of things are the easiest in reality or the things we think a lot about answer themselves within a fraction of a second. This out-of-context statement is actually in for a reason. It represents the background of letter Q and my experience while dealing with an unusual alphabet. So before I begin with the article, let’s back up a bit.

   When I started with the A-Z series, I chose to go with the flow. Instead of deciding a word for each of the 26 alphabets right at the start, I started to address it letter after letter. Even after all this practical sense in me, I was dreading difficult letters Q and X.

    I was sure the simpler ones from the lot such as A, B, N, P, S will be do their job easily with loads of options to pick from. But, it may not be the same for few offbeat ones. Hence, when I finally reached the bridge with letter Q within arm’s distance, I knew it was time to cross it. Much to my surprise, all the expected anticipation evaporated into thin air, when the song ‘Que sera sera’ rang in my ears instantly. No sooner did I find myself pondering about the letter Q, I got the answer in a jiffy.

 

   An extremely old song dated back in the 1950s, this piece was famous among listeners for several years thereafter. I was acquainted to it during our school times. More than the rhythm or melody of its music, it received popularity due to its wonderful lyrics which kept it alive for all these years. It stands for a simple conversation between mother and daughter, while they address the biggest question of ‘attitude’ towards life. It did not ring much of a bell while I was in school, but years later as I look at it now; I realize its significance, paving its way into my series.

   Written by artists Jay Livingston and Ray Evans, the song was remade several times after the original track; including a colorful and fast-paced dance number in our very own colorful Bollywood! (Google it, later) Though the lyrics were twisted and the context was different, it retained the original phrase.

What is the deal with the phrase?

  ‘Que, sera sera’ literally translates to ‘Whatever, will be will be’. A Spanish phrase inspired by Italian origin, it represents the fact that whatever is bound to happen in the future will definitely happen. No matter what we think about the future or how many hours we waste in the process of dreaming, worrying, feeling hopeless or hopeful, the things that are meant to materialize will do so at their own pace. Worrying about the future does not change the bad to good or convert dreams to reality.

A look into the song: 

  When a little girl with dreams in her eyes and cloud of questions in her head asks her mother whether she will be rich or pretty ahead, her mother answers with the phrase “Que, sera sera, whatever will be, will be, the future is not ours to see, Que, sera sera.”

   It then proceeds to the daughter growing up and falling in love. Though the questions change, her anxiety about the future remains the same. When she asks her sweetheart about their future together and whether their love will be greeted with rainbows, she receives the same expression of not worrying about the future. The song comes along a full circle, when at the end this daughter enters into the role of a mother. And while her children are equally inquisitive to know about their looks and wealth in the future, she answers back in the same way.

Cut, copy, paste to real-life:

 A simple conversation, yet meaningful to the last bit. This is true in our context too.

How often do we find ourselves thinking about what lies way ahead?

Career, wealth, assets, health, hobbies, passion, children, grandchildren and everything in between?

  There is nothing harmful in harboring dreams. Nothing wrong in picturing everything you want to be or everything you need in your life. I do believe in ‘thoughts attract reality’ concept written in the book ‘Secret’ by Rhonda Byre, but only to a certain extent (personal review- if you apply it to everything, too impractical to be true). But, on a practical scale for practical happiness, future is way beyond the road. Just thinking about the happy tales of tomorrow will not bring happiness today. No matter how good you think about the future, those are just thoughts at the end. And reality is more about circumstances and situations.

  Efforts give way to results. It is important to invest our hard work to reap the fruits of success. But in any case, it is only after we have worked in the present. Our anxious questions about future will never yield any productive answer because it is still ‘a road in progress’. If you halt your progress to imagine about the fancy path, you are only wasting time in hand.

  Each one of us is anxious. It is only normal and human to tempt ourselves about tomorrow. We want answers to everything, right away. Thanks to modern technology, we seem to be equipped in every way. But, only if that colorful, know-it-all Google could answer this question too “What is the future?” (Not through some funny and weird prediction apps, but real answers.) Till no technology finds a true solution to this complex question- you and I can do nothing about it.

   I do not intend to offend any faith or belief (kindly pardon me, if I sound so), but no form of science/religion/ philosophy/ practice/ astrology/moral sciences/ hand-palm-leg-forehead study will tell, then why are we still hunting? (I am equally guilty- been there, done that). Future is never ours to see, rather it is not meant to be seen from your seat in the present. It is only meant to be experienced, when it reaches to you in the ‘now’.

 ‘Whatever happens, happens for good’ is often treated as the excuse put forth by non-ambitious people. But in reality, it is the thing that happens to each one of us. Being visionary and ambitious is necessary to have a goal in mind, but being flexible with the flow is the real test. Giving up everything because of one unexpected failure is not something to be proud about. You are not praised for the big dreams you hold, but for the practical results you give out. Ambitions are more like unprocessed raw materials in your back office which are not meant to be seen by anyone. After you put them through the machinery of hard work, it gives the perfect fancy final product to be displayed with pride.

  When we learn to deal with the present situation in the best way we can, it reflects our preparedness to life. Acing known questions is not the talent, answering the uncertain ones to the best of our capacity definitely is. Simply put, you cannot avoid failures, but you can only be prepared for it.

   You know it is time to quit thinking when the ‘How’ and ‘Will’ type of questions crowd your system. Because questions without answers are total waste of time. And though each one of us knows it to the ‘T’, it takes someone else to prompt such reminders.

  Like the mother who answers her child or a lover who answers his sweetheart, we will always need someone to tell us ‘Que, sera sera….’

Ascend to the mosaics, beliefs, pictures and colors - for every step is a part of the whole