Everything happens for a reason, but you must recognize the reasons!
I studied to be a writer, so I was more or less raised to avoid clichés. But despite my professors' tireless efforts to ingrain this doctrine into my brain, I still can't shake the thought that in reality EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON.
Truth be told, I consider myself a firm believer in that statement, even an advocate.
But I've noticed that every time I've used this chalk as a way to calm down my friends who have found themselves in unpleasant situations, I've been faced with: "You have to say that because you're my friend". Or worse: "You won't convince me of that, because everyone is responsible for their own destiny."
Well, forgive my "not so subtle" eye-rolling at all of you who are so desperately trying to carve out your future, and allow the realist in me to burst your bubble when he tells you that you can't plan your future.
I've thought about and discussed this many times before: the whole idea that life will throw you balls. And believe me, I'm no athlete to deftly avoid them! However, I feel confident enough to say that I have learned the art of overcoming the inconveniences that life throws at me with, I think, a little athletic ability. And if you're wondering what my secret is, it's that I know everything happens for a reason.
No, I don't mean that if something bad happens to me, I just shrug my shoulders and say: "Eh, everything happens for a reason, right?" I think people who use it that way see it as some sort of excuse.
No, I don't say "everything happens for a reason" until I am able to reflect on past events in my life and when I can truly understand why certain things happened the way they did. I'm not saying this until the moment I understand what the real reason is!
So everyone who doesn't believe this cliché, why should you? If you don't understand why life has brought you to where you are, if you haven't figured out the reason yet...
Take me for example. A little more than a year ago, I found myself in a position that I would not wish on anyone. I was angry, confused and, I admit, a little scared. Something that was completely out of my control was now going to transform my life. After some heated conversations, arguments and rash decisions, I was able to see the reason for what was happening in my life.
I was angry at life because all my plans failed because at the time I really didn't see the benefit of what was going to happen. A year later, it turned out to be the best thing that could have happened not only to me, but to the whole family. A situation that initially tore my family apart has now brought it all closer together!
I love that quote that people keep misattributing to Marilyn Monroe: "Sometimes good things fall apart so that better things can fall together." Damn, did I just come up with another cliché?
Anyway, it's true!
I won't lie, it can take quite a while to find the "reasons". But when we get to that point, some situations, problems, and life's hardships appear in a much brighter light.
And I understand from my past experience that this is hard to see at the moment. But maybe every breakup, every wrong step that happened to you or is happening in your life has its own reason — TO LEAD YOU TO SOMETHING BETTER!
