I just came across this poem by the 13C Persian poet Jalāl al-Dīn Muḥammad Rūmī, giving inspiration on meeting the unnexpected – appropriate for these uncertain times. The effect is to raise the response from the level of ego to that of the Higher Self.

The Guest House

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

Quoted from Muehsam, Patricia A.. Beyond Medicine (pp. ix-x). New World Library.

Image composite of Milky Way centre by NASA/JPL-Caltech/ESA/CXC/STScI, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons