じんせい はなにが おこるか わからないNobody knows what will happen. - Japanese proverb

It would be nice if we could plan our lives and know the outcomes.  Unfortunately, that rarely happens.  We cannot guarantee the outcome so the only thing we can do is master the process (this is why studying is called following the Way).  In Aikido the first thing students are to master is the form of the technique.  By mastering the form, they hopefully master their bodies.  When this happens it is referred to as mastering the sword in swordsmanship.  After that happens the student comes to master their minds and hopefully reconcile their hearts.  When this happens, we refer to it as the moment when the student puts down the sword.  One cannot know the outcome but hopefully they can change themselves enough so that the outcome doesn't matter anymore.  What happens to us on the outside is of little matter when compared to what happens within.