Quote of the day by Cate Blanchett: 'If you embrace life, if you see all things happening as surprises in front of your eyes...', Double Oscar-winning actress on how to keep learning from one's own life

Life rarely unfolds exactly according to plan. Careers change, relationships evolve, opportunities arrive unexpectedly and carefully prepared plans can disappear overnight. While uncertainty can be uncomfortable, it can also become one of life's greatest teachers provided we remain curious enough to learn from it. That idea was beautifully captured during a 2017 Observer conversation between two-time Oscar winner Cate Blanchett and German artist and filmmaker Julian Rosefeldt about their experimental project Manifesto. Reflecting on Blanchett's seemingly endless curiosity, Rosefeldt observed: “If you embrace life, if you see all things happening as surprises in front of your eyes, you can’t stop learning.” The observation came while Rosefeldt was discussing Blanchett's approach to acting and her curiosity about human nature.

What is the deeper meaning behind the quote?

At its heart, the quote asks us to change how we look at uncertainty. Life will always contain things we cannot predict. Instead of treating every unexpected event as an inconvenience, Rosefeldt's observation suggests approaching experiences with curiosity. A failed plan might reveal another possibility. Meeting someone unexpectedly could change your perspective. Even mistakes can teach lessons that success sometimes cannot.

It does not mean pretending every difficult experience is positive. Rather, it is about remaining willing to observe, question and learn as life changes around us. Interestingly, Blanchett has expressed a related view elsewhere. In a British Vogue interview, she reflected that life is shaped by chance, mistakes and things going wrong, and said she would not necessarily change her past because doing so would also change where she eventually arrived.

Why the quote feels relevant today

The thought carries particular weight in a world where change happens quickly. People routinely face career switches, new technology, economic uncertainty and changing relationships. There is often pressure to have life figured out — the right career, financial goals and a clear idea of what comes next.

But life rarely follows such a neat timetable. Remaining curious makes it easier to adapt when circumstances change. Instead of immediately asking, “Why did this happen to me?”, sometimes a more useful question is, “What can I learn from this?”

5 Important lessons to learn from the quote

1. Stay curious: Curiosity should not disappear with age or experience. There is always something new to understand about people, work and ourselves.

2. Don't fear unexpected changes: A surprise may disrupt your plans, but it can also introduce possibilities you had never considered.

3. Learn from mistakes: Not every decision will work. Looking carefully at what went wrong can make a disappointing experience valuable.

4. Avoid becoming cynical: Rosefeldt contrasted curiosity with cynicism during the interview. Constantly expecting the worst can prevent us from recognising opportunities and understanding different perspectives.

5. Keep challenging yourself: Learning often begins when familiar ideas are questioned. Blanchett herself discussed the importance of challenging oneself while talking about Manifesto. Growth requires being willing to reconsider what we already believe.

Learning doesn't have an expiry date

Perhaps the most useful part of the quote is its reminder that learning is not restricted to schools, universities or the early years of a career. Every conversation, mistake, unfamiliar situation and unexpected turn can teach us something. We may not control everything that appears in front of us, but we can control whether we dismiss it or pay attention. Seeing life with curiosity does not guarantee that every surprise will be pleasant. It does, however, ensure that even when plans change, there remains something worth discovering.