Que Sera, Sera
Que Sera, Sera: Embracing the Uncertainties of Life
When I was eight years old, I was a proud member of the school choir, singing as a soprano alongside 15 to 20 other primary school kids. We spent countless hours rehearsing for school performance nights and the annual ‘School Spectacular,’ a major event where musical acts from across NSW gathered at the Sydney Opera House. I was that little girl, bow in her ponytail, constantly humming with a musical skip in her step.
One song from those days has stayed with me over the years: "Whatever Will Be, Will Be (Que Sera, Sera)" by Doris Day. As life has unfolded, I’ve found more meaning in the subsequent passages, and especially the chorus lines.
When I was just a little girl
I asked my mother, "What will I be?
Will I be pretty? Will I be rich?"
As a young girl, these lyrics resonated deeply with me, and the world felt like an exciting and unknown place. I often wondered about the future—where I would be, what kind of life I would lead, and what kinds of success I would achieve. Would I still have the same best friends? Would I feel confident and courageous as an adult, and would all the doubt and uncertainty eventually disappear?
Now, at 32, I’ve crossed the threshold into adulthood, yet some of that childhood uncertainty remains. I still question myself: Am I good enough? Will I ever feel content and accomplished? Especially now, as I stand on the edge of one of life’s biggest transitions—becoming a mom—I find myself pondering the future even more intensely. What kind of person will our little boy become? Will he be happy, kind, and resilient? And perhaps most daunting, I wonder about my own abilities and shortcomings—how might they shape, or limit, my child?
When I grew up and fell in love
I asked my sweetheart, "What lies ahead?
Will we have rainbows day after day?"
It’s so easy to focus on the unknown. As humans, we are naturally curious, always seeking answers and trying to prepare for the future. We want to design our lives in the best way possible, but the truth is, we can never fully predict what lies ahead. What we can do is work moment by moment to become the best versions of ourselves, making conscious decisions and meaningful connections, hoping that the life we find ourselves in will exceed even our wildest dreams.
Ultimately, all we truly have is the present moment, along with our intentions and actions. This realisation has been a source of comfort during the many emotional moments I've experienced over the past few weeks, and the knowledge that every person, every generation will have the same thoughts, doubts and inability to truly know the future.
Now I have children of my own
They ask their mother what will I be
Will I be handsome? Will I be rich?
I tell them tenderly
Que sera, sera
Whatever will be, will be
The future's not ours to see
Que sera, sera
What will be, will be.
