What have we here?

So often in life, we measure our days against what we wish were happening.
Better timing. Better conditions. More clarity. More certainty. And when reality doesn’t match the plan, frustration quietly settles in.

I recently listened to a conversation between Matt Hussey and Oliver Burkeman that offered a simple but powerful reframe.

Matt compared life to a reality cooking show where chefs are given a random set of ingredients. No one knows what they’ll get. The challenge isn’t to complain about what’s missing – it’s to create the best possible dish with what’s already on the table. The chefs are judged not on ideal conditions, but on creativity and resourcefulness.

Oliver suggested we approach life the same way.

Instead of asking, “Why isn’t this different?” or “Why don’t I have what I planned for?”
Try asking: “What have we here?”

What resources are already present?
What constraints are shaping this moment?
And how can I respond in a way that helps me grow rather than resist?

This doesn’t mean pretending everything is perfect. It means letting go of the idea that life must follow a script in order to be meaningful.

Sometimes growth doesn’t come from getting what we hoped for –
but from using what we do have with intention.

So the next time things feel off-plan, pause and ask:
What is life inviting me to make from this, right now?

That question alone can change everything.

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