Does everything happen for a reason?
A cliche that I spout so often it could become meaningless... you know that you all have heard it before- a friend tries to comfort you, a family member tries to offer advice, a tv commercial whips bits of wisdom... but, does it really all happen for a reason? I said the phrase just last night and the response was not what I expected. "You can keep your reason to yourself!" Okay- I guess. What I was really trying to do was uplift, encourage and provide meaning to a difficult situation. What I think was heard was... an excuse. I get it. Hearing that everything happens for a reason could sound like no one has to take responsibility... but that is hardly what the saying truly means. To me, it means that there is a silver lining- a shining beacon of hopefulness that can guide you out of darkness. If we are able to see a bright spot in the smallest or biggest of difficulties, we are able to focus on the positive and by doing so we see, absorb, and accept more positive. As the tides shift, plans change, and circumstances wane, there are always things to be thankful for. In my case, I am hopeful that the next plan will be that much better, that what may have been has been avoided, and that the timing of the future will be impeccable. Sure, it is easier said that done- and much easier said and heard- but really, if you take the time to see the why and be thankful for the 'what may be' instead of cursing the 'what if's'- you'll find that 'what may be' will be even better.