at the mercy of the wind

I've been reading An Immense World, a book about the highly diverse senses of animals.

A few examples:

• Bats use echolocation to navigate pitch-black caves.
• Bees use ultraviolet light to detect patterns on flowers for pollination.
• Snakes use their forked tongues to pinpoint the direction their poisoned prey ran.

Every species has evolved an original way of sensing the world.

And humans have done the same within their own species.

Even in equal circumstances, two humans can have opposite reactions.

Some see opportunity, others see downfall.

A beautiful sunny day to some is unbearable heat to others.

The diversity of human perspectives is infinite.

However, none of these viewpoints are "better" than any other.

Uniqueness means that often, if not always, our perception is outside of our control.

We didn't influence many of the factors that shaped us, like birthplace, parents, circumstances, and luck.

We've had little control over who we've become.

I find that fact immensely freeing.

Realizing how little you impact reality allows you to relax, enjoy the show, and stop trying to control what was never yours to control.

A great sailor is still at the mercy of the wind.