Everything happens for a reason and, in the end, does get sorted out

There’s a reason why everything happens in Life. And there’s no way you will know that reason until much later – when everything eventually gets sorted out.

A young couple we know are going through a difficult time understanding each other. Just some years back when they married we all believed they were the most ideal pair – although they came from different communities. Another friend’s house is being repossessed and auctioned by a bank because of his inability to pay up his mortgage dues. He’s a very well-known personality and is distressed with the beating his reputation is taking publicly. Over 200 families are on the edge as there’s still no news of the Malaysian Airlines MH 370 flight that “vanished into thin air” over the past weekend. You may be faced with a difficult situation at work or with your health as you read this. And you too must be wondering why do bizarre things happen? That too to people like you and me – who are hardworking, sincere, ethical and are, by default, “good folks”!

Well, let me tell you a story. A turtle and a wave were good friends. The turtle loved to walk on the wet beach during low tides and create patterns on the sand with its webbed feet and claws. One day, the turtle had made an elaborate design on the beach and was admiring its own work, when the wave came crashing on the shore and washed away the whole design. The turtle was cross with the wave and demanded an explanation for this rude behavior.

“I want to know why you washed away my labor of love,” asked the turtle.

“Honey, I had no desire to spoil your fun. But if you notice, there’s a poacher coming by at the far end of the beach. If he had seen your footprints he would have tracked you down. So, I wiped the beach clean. Now, go hide yourself before the poacher spots you!” replied the wave.

Unfortunately for us, Life is not as forthcoming as the wave was when it comes to justifying each event or happening. At most times, we are left wondering what’s going on or why is something happening in the first place?

Aristotle (384~322 BC), the Greek philosopher, explains this thus: “There’s always a reason for everything that happens. Your experiences are designed to shape you, define you and, hopefully, grow you into the mightiest you possible.” However ridiculous such a perspective may be when you are going through a rough phase, when you feel worn out, trampled upon, pissed on and passed over, there’s no denying the truth that Aristotle put forth centuries ago.

Life has no agenda to hurt you or cause you any pain. Life doesn’t do something grave to you because you have sinned. And Life doesn’t reward you because you have been a good Samaritan or a saint! Life’s nature is to keep on happening – delivering event after event after event at your doorstep. You classify them as good or bad depending on your preferences and expectations. So, it appears to you that Life oscillates between highs and lows, good and bad. But Life just goes on – almost mechanically. If you learn from each Life experience you get better and better with living. You understand then that a break-up is not the end of the road. Or that a pink-slip does not mean you are worthless. Or that a hopeless prognosis does not mean it’s all over. Or that darkness now does not mean there will never be light. Incredibly, Life has a way of sorting out every situation that it creates! It is only when you don’t learn from your experiences and you keep hating whatever’s happening to you, that you become irritable, you hurt and you suffer.

So, if you are going through a Life situation that foxes you, let me tell you what I told my friend whose house is being repossessed by the bank this morning: “Let go. Do your bit – do whatever you must do. And leave the rest to Life. You will be amazed at how, over time, Life sorts everything out.”