Essentially, by “Hanging by a Thread,” Housel meant that everything, from our own lives to broader historical narratives, is shaped by seemingly insignificant coincidences. He recounted how his friends once tried to persuade him to ski down a forbidden backside of the resort, where avalanches frequently occurred. The author ended up obliging and thankfully made it down safely. The next day, however, when his friends suggested another trip down the same slope, the author declined on a whim. Instead, he offered to wait at the bottom of the mountain and pick them up after his friends were done. Hauntingly, that would be the last time he ever saw them again.
Similar coincidences have happened in American history, when George Washington was forced to retreat up the East River after losing the Battle of Long Island. The British could have easily chased them and wiped out Washington’s troops, practically ending the Revolutionary War, but the wind made it impossible for the British fleet to sail upstream to chase the Patriots.
Even running into the book was a surprising coincidence. Had I easily found the Japanese novels that I was looking for, I might have never come across it, which would have prevented me from writing this article, which then again means that you wouldn’t be reading this right now. It all started from one random coincidence in a bookstore.
Though the book eventually concludes that the world is unpredictable because of the coincidences that impact it, there is also a vital personal meaning to take from it. At Andover, many students may step on campus and spend their years believing they know exactly where their interests lie and who their closest friends are. However, small coincidences can often change this perception.
One afternoon in my junior winter term, my friend from math invited me to play squash with him. Realizing I was free, I decided to follow him. That decision led me to sign up for recreational squash the following term. In the end, I had found an interest that I never knew I would when I first set foot on campus.
My experience is hardly unique. If anything, Andover’s freedom amplifies opportunities for these coincidences to occur. Looking back at my first year, I realize that so many parts of freshman year seem designed for these exact “coincidences.” The relatively lighter academic load, the idea of building yourself on a new campus with hundreds of new peers, maybe even the new pass-fail policy of fall term classes—these features don’t exist to give students more free time. Instead, it leaves room for students to stumble upon experiences we never expected to have. In an environment where you live, study, and interact with hundreds of unique students, teachers, and mentors, meaningful encounters are bound to happen. Maybe it’s talking to a quiet classmate who just so happened to become your best friend; maybe it’s following a friend to a club you didn’t even know existed; maybe it’s an inspiring teacher who turns your hated subject into your favorite. Of course, both lowerclassmen and upperclassmen still come across these coincidences, but there is no better time than Junior year to actually chase newfound interests, become best friends with a classmate, and find a new favorite subject. That’s why “try new things” is always up there in the list of advice from upperclassmen — though applicable to anyone — and in a way, what I want to say as well.
Of course, the more you realize this, the more stressful it gets. I remember stepping into the club fair during freshman fall, excited to sign up and try every club on campus. But when I actually stepped into Snyder, I was so intimidated that I ended up registering for far fewer clubs than I hoped. That’s why I would hesitate to say “search and reach for opportunities every second.” From my personal experience, that approach is often too draining to sustain for the time we have left at Andover, whether that be the full four or just one year. Instead, all you need to do is keep your eyes open and prick up your ears. Though exactly when these coincidences happen is always a variable, they are bound to come to you whether you intentionally search for them or not. So don’t become paranoid that you’re somehow not doing enough or missing out. As long as you are ready to embrace the seemingly ordinary opportunities of self-discovery, your path will come to you.
