"Losing both parents at a young age gave me a sense that you can't really control life - so you'd better live it while it's here. I stopped believing in a storybook existence a long time ago. All you can do is push in a direction and see what comes of it"

In this quote by Jon Hamm, he conveys an extensive reflection on life and the unpredictability that accompanies it, stemming from his individual experience of losing both parents at a young age. The loss of parents is one of the most impactful occasions a person can sustain, particularly at a young age, when one's understanding of the world and emotional durability are still developing. Hamm recommends that this early encounter with death instilled in him an awareness that life is not something that can be nicely controlled or specifically prepared.

His acknowledgment of life's unpredictability challenges the prevalent notion of a "storybook existence", an idea often connected with idealized stories where life unfolds in a perfect and predictable way. In rejecting this view, Hamm welcomes a more practical and existential perspective: life is inherently unsure and finite, and therefore, it is important to live fully in today. The recommendations to "live it while it's here" highlights taking the moment, valuing life's transient nature, and embracing experiences as they come.

Moreover, Hamm's metaphor of pressing "in a direction and see what comes of it" underscores a technique to life that values objective and action over rigid preparation. This technique endorses the concept of setting a course without being overly attached to particular results, enabling versatility and receptivity to life's unfolding situations. Rather of being disabled by the fear of the unidentified or the grief of previous losses, one can actively take part in forming their course while staying open up to whatever life presents.

In essence, the quote catches a blend of realism and hope. It encourages examining life from a point of view that honors both its impermanence and its capacity for unforeseen, significant adventures, advocating for a life coped with function, adaptability, and awareness of its precious, ephemeral nature.