This saying, the modern adaptation of a line from Robert Burns poetic work, “To a Mouse,” has been a source of comfort to me over the past couple dozen years. To some, that all too prophetic verse may strike fear and rattle nerves, stating that no matter how much preparation, thought and genius is poured into a plan, something just might come along and smash the script. Now, to think about that, Burns was a Scotsman in the late eighteenth century, and even in that day without all the structure, networks and technology — plenty could go wrong.The origin of what became presently known as Murphy’s Law was long before calendars, Palm Pilots and iPhones, or for that matter, wristwatches and the human language. Edward Murphy, a brash, outspoken and often arrogant engineer who worked with the Air Force while testing the effects of g-forces on the body in the 1950s, seems to be the namesake for the term which was coined. The initial tests using his measurement device showed “zero.” It was then discovered the sensors were installed backwards by his assistant, to which Murphy stated, “If that guy has any way of making a mistake, he will,” which was then revised through other team members and made it to the project manager. The project manager stated it during a press conference to convey that the success of the project without loss of life was due to their planning, redundancy and knowledge of Murphy’s Law, iterating that, “If anything can go wrong, it will.”
Of course, I am certainly not suggesting that any of us just stop planning things. Personally, as someone who basically needs to plan to make plans, those who don’t can be frustrating to deal with to say the least. As a photographer, I’ve dealt with brides that plan things to happen literally minute-by-minute, and I’ve watched at the same pace as the day transpired into happiness, joy and laughter. Take comfort in knowing that YOUR plan may indeed not be THE plan. Stay fleet of foot; accept the opportunity to adapt with a smile on your face; and enjoy this crazy adventure we call life.