What is it about life?

So in my usual way, I am pondering things and wondering what it is about life that makes for the awkward balance of carefree times vs difficult times.  This is the question of all questions I suppose and based on the advice of someone very dear to me, my new plan is to just embrace it all and go with the flow more.  I have always struggled with this and am not quite sure how to begin the "new me" who doesn't over think everything possible, but I think recognizing it is the first step right?  There is beauty in not knowing all the answers I suppose, and that beauty is called LIFE.