Jamie Broker

As far as I know, there’s not a single drop of Scottish blood in my veins. There is, however, quite a sizeable amount of appreciation for the stunningly beautiful Scottish countryside (may I see it in person someday!) and a healthy enjoyment of Kenny Boyle’s videos on Scottish folklore and culture. A video of his was, in fact, where I first heard the title phrase of this post: “Whit’s fur ye’ll no go by ya.”

As I understand it (and if I’ve got it wrong, blame my comprehension and not the folks I’ve heard it from), the phrase means that whatever is meant for you in the end will come to you at the right time, and won’t pass you by. Mr. Boyle used the example of an opportunity that didn’t come to pass. You don’t have to worry that you missed your moment, because that specific opportunity was never meant to be yours in the first place, and your moment is still on the way.

I really like this idea. I’m terrible at adopting it as a philosophy, but I like it. I worry most of the time that I’ve done something wrong or not worked hard enough, and whatever’s for me will arrive and, disappointed (if not disgusted), leave me behind forever. The idea that you grow towards an intersection with “what’s meant for you” and that said interaction will happen at the right time, no forcing or stressing needed — it’s lovely, and I wish I had such steadfast faith in the universe!

But Mr. Boyle described this phrase as a favorite of grandmothers all over Scotland, and one underestimates the wisdom of grannies at their own peril. The whole point is that what’s to be given to you comes to you in time, on time, never early or late. Maybe the universe has been rolling its eyes at me, exasperated, this whole time. “Will you sit down and have a cup of tea, Jamie,” maybe it’s saying. “Seriously. What’s for you’ll not go by you.”