“Unfortunately, not selected.” That was the subject line of the email I received today from an agency regarding my daughter. As I read it, I paused. Then, purposefully, I rephrased it in my mind: “Fortunately, not selected.”Because now, she has more space to grow, more time to practice, and a stronger reason to strive.

And that got me thinking—what truly defines “fortunate” and “unfortunate”?

Years ago, when we began constructing our hospital, everyone—including us—believed we were incredibly fortunate. It was our big dream. But the reality that followed was full of unexpected setbacks: financial mismanagement, poor guidance, and mounting debt. The construction halted midway. Eventually, we had to sell the property at a loss. That felt like the most unfortunate thing.

But that very setback pushed my husband to take up an opportunity in Dubai. Life here turned out to be everything I had once dreamed of—peaceful, secure, and stable. Something we wouldn’t have pursued if things had gone “right” back then.

Life keeps reminding us: the future is always a surprise.

What feels like a loss today may turn out to be a hidden gift. And what seems like a blessing may come with its own price. So why torment ourselves with judgment every time something doesn’t go as planned? Why attach “unfortunately” to every missed opportunity or unexpected turn? The real damage often lies not in what happens—but in the weight of the label we give it, and the self-worth we tie to it.

Keep showing up. Keep doing your best. Trust the process. Life is wiser than we think. Because sometimes, the biggest blessings come “unfortunately.”

Can you think of a time when something that felt like a failure turned out to be a blessing? What would change if you started reading your setbacks as “fortunately” instead?