What Do You Mean ‘Everything Happens for a Reason’?
Examining how a worn out cliché might be helpful to us — just not in the way we might think
Throughout my life, I have consistently heard the phrase “everything happens for a reason”. Sometimes, it’s said because something bad happened, and it’s supposed to be comforting. Sometimes, it’s said because something good happened, as a way to affirm something more than blind luck. But what does the phrase really mean?
A Thought Experiment
Let’s say that I’m on my way to work to give a big presentation to a huge prospective client. It’s a big deal. On the way , I get a flat tire. It’s now clear that I’m going to be late. It’s now clear that the presentation that I need to be there for — to hopefully close the deal with a huge client — is in danger.
This client means a huge commission boost for me, which my family is really depending on. It also means gaining a lot of respect at work, for being able to bring on big clients and add value to the company. And this flat tire endangers all of that.
They say everything happens for a reason. But what reason could there be for this flat tire? If you believe that there is a plan here — attributable to a divine intelligence — how good a plan could…