a curtain behind the curtain

Before the release of The Truman Show (a movie about a completely false reality created and maintained for the benefit of both the central character, who believes it is in fact all real, and the enormous ratings his televised and scripted life in actuality is) I mentioned to a friend of mine that sometimes it felt like everyone in my life was "in on it;" as if everyone--friends, family, even strangers--were playing a role, and that was truly the only reason most of  them were even in my life.  She responded by saying, "That's pretty self-centered, don't you think?"

You can't be late for your own show, that's for sure.

Other than the fact that, perhaps, that way of thinking could be construed as self-centered, we are indeed the focal point of our lives.  Everything--and everyone--are spokes on the wheel, so to speak.  The closer the relationship, the closer to the axle one might reside--parents, best friends and lovers nearer that epicenter; the further out, the more distant the connection (say, perhaps mere acquaintances or even strangers, out on the wheel). However, what little control we do have over our lives there is always something going on outside our life that isn't even within our realm of thinking or capacity to affect.

For example, right now someone is planning a surprise party for you.  Do you know it?  Hopefully not.  But it's happening, and at some point you will have this party brought into your life and it will take place.  All of the participants, from those who created it to those who are guests in attendance, knew it was happening.  Meanwhile, you were oblivious to it, and those aforementioned people orchestrated a part of your life behind the scenes.

Thinking smaller, how about a gift?  Someone surprises you by giving you a cheeseburger (yum!).  You had no idea that was going to happen, did you?  Surprise!  Once again, the curtain is pulled back to reveal an aspect of your life that unbeknownst to you was already in motion before that tasty treat appeared in your reality.

On a larger scale, perhaps the company you are working for that employs hundreds, if not thousands, of people over several states (or even continents) decides that their bottom line is no longer satisfactory, despite an outward appearance of solvency.  Out of the blue, dozens if not hundreds of jobs are eliminated, and suddenly you're unemployed.

Bigger yet?  How about that asteroid that's hurtling through space right now, on a collision course with Earth as we speak. Thirty seven years from now (2049, for those of you whipping out your toes) the human race will discover this planet is no longer inhabitable . . . well, the 3 % that survives the initial impact and subsequent climate "adjustments" that result from such a catastrophic cosmic event.  That umbrella you have?  Doesn't matter how big it is, we can't really consider that preparation.

We are constantly at the mercy of the unknown.  We can merely do the best we can with what we have, and deal with the unexpected as it happens.  What can we expect in the future?
No tellin', not knowin'.
See you next time (unless you see me first).