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It is truly amazing how far we have come in recent centuries. It was 400 years ago, during the lifetime of Galileo, that the telescope was invented and put to use in the field of astronomy. New planets came into view. The moon’s smooth appearance was discovered to be quite uneven - full of craters and mountains. Copernicus’ sun-centred theory was verified through visual means. Since that time, we have developed more powerful and sophisticated observational tools. With the help of satellite technology, we now can see distant asteroids such as the 1950 DA which is a mere kilometre wide. And with the use of computer technology, we can use complex calculations for prediction. Today is the science fiction of yesterday. Yet there are variables which will affect the probability of an asteroidal impact upon earth. Scientists can identify what these forces and contingencies are likely to be, but they can’t calculate the relative value and weighting of these factors. When we look down the years of our own lives, we can anticipate some events, some rites of passage. We will likely go through developmental phases of childhood; dating and marriage; education and employment; bearing, rearing and launching children into their own adult lives; retirement from the work that has occupied our adult lives; death. Two things remain to be seen. One is the way that these typical rites of passage will affect our lives. We will become different people because of them. But what kind of persons we will be is not certain. The other unknown concerns the atypical events of life - those things we aren’t anticipating. These can be wonderful turning points in life or devastating events. Again, we will be changed people. We will not of necessity be better or worse because of them but we will be different. For Reflection: 1) Think of some anticipated events that have changed your life. What were they? What impact did they make on you, your personality and character? 2) Think of an unanticipated event which has been life changing. What happened? How did it affect you?
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