Explaining the Unexplainable (M)

It is human nature to want and feel as though we must explain the unknown.

“What is the meaning of life?” Who am I supposed to be?” “Why are we here?” and one that has become increasingly more common “How did I end up here???”

We use religion, science, and spirituality in our pursuit to answer these questions. Yet the only thing we seem to come up with is even more conflicting answers. And are we not all right? We certainly act as though we have been able to figure it out, done the impossible, explained the unexplainable.

We all try to follow that path; the one that we thought we were supposed to always follow. Only suddenly you find yourself standing at a fork in the road with many paths but no signs. You agonize and seek guidance in (insert name/god/yourself/friends/family here).

Today is Sunday, February 10, 2008. It is an unusually sunny day in London. My flatmates, along with most Londoners, took advantage of the beautiful weather by running off to the park to start up rugby and football games. Others parked themselves at tables, hurriedly brought out at the first hint of sun, and chatted amongst friends over a few pints outside the local pub.

I was doing neither. I was on my way to the airport, suitcase in tow.

Queensway, the main street near my flat, was crowded (no shock here) with tourists, foreigners, and the occasional local. I carefully and almost calculatingly wove through the crowds; my footsteps never missed a beat to the music softly playing on my ipod as I darted in and out of the tourists.

So what glamorous trip am I off to next you may wonder? China? India? Egypt? South Africa?

Well, no.

My suitcase is empty.

KLM airlines called last week to inform me that they found my lost bag in Amsterdam. They were nice enough to send it back to London, but I would have to go pick it up at the London City Airport.

Airlines lose luggage all the time right? Sounds reasonable?

The irony is; I did not know I was missing a bag nor had I been to Amsterdam in almost 2 years. I have not flown KLM in about five.

Regardless, upon arriving at the airport I casually stroll up to the KLM Ticket Sales desk, “Excuse me, I am here to pick up a lost bag.”

“One moment please.” The woman at the counter picks up the phone and calls the baggage department. Minutes later, a man comes out carrying a large black duffle bag.

“Hmmm…that does look familiar”, I think to myself. But after my stuff being in storage for the last 4 months, I am not even sure what I own anymore.

I lay out my empty suitcase in the middle of the airport, unload everything from my duffle bag into the suitcase (easier to carry onto the train), zip it shut, pop my ipod back in and head back to the train home.

So, Do I know how my luggage miraculously ended up in Amsterdam?

No, I don’t.

Do I know where I am going in life?

Not really.

Many fear the unknown. I just take a deep breath and plunge into it, knowing regardless where I end up, I will survive…I think.

While we constantly struggle to explain the unexplainable in every aspect of life, I have come to realize that some things simply can not be explained. Accept it.