Does Everything Happen "For A Reason"?

As the title suggests, this post may offend some readers. However, everyone is entitled to his/her own opinions, right? This is my perspective.

.

Due to my personal belief and what I do for a living, I have never used and do not endorse the phrase "everything happens for a reason." While events do occur, they do not necessarily have a purposeful meaning. Not all reasons are justifiable, and some are unpleasant or tragic. For example, how would I explain to a patient with cancer that his/her condition happened for a reason? I cannot bring myself to diminish the suffering of someone already in pain, even if their predicament might be linked to their lifestyle choices. Thus, I do not say it out to their faces that "everything happens for a reason". Similarly, telling the families of disaster victims that everything happens for a reason would be insensitive and unhelpful. This popular cliché simply does not resonate with me, given the complexities of real-life suffering.

Even if you believe that everything does happen "for a reason", stating so may not be the best way to comfort someone. Sometimes, simply sitting beside them quietly or offering a hug can be far more encouraging and supportive. Let us be kind to one another.

Maybe things just happen. There might not have a particular or specific reason for them, but we could always learn from experiences, regardless of whether they are good or bad.

#encouragement #love #tcmsingapore

Photo by Ashkan Forouzani on Unsplash