Just because things hadn't gone the way I had planned didn't necessarily mean they had gone wrong.

Author Ann Patchett's self-inspired essay "What Now?" — the work in which these reaffirming words appear — offers hope to those who find themselves at a crossroads. Patchett describes being thrust into many unfamiliar situations but finding fulfillment throughout those unexpected journeys, much like many of the characters endured in "Bel Canto," a gritty yet tender novel for which she received critical acclaim. This quote is a reminder that our path in life is always changing, and curveballs can offer some of our greatest lessons and joys. While we may set out to accomplish certain goals, there's no greater tool than having an open mind and a willingness to accept wherever the road may take us.