Everything Happens for a Reason??

It's interesting for me to write this blog on the topic "Everything Happens for a Reason." You see... I already wrote this blog about a month ago. It was long, it was incredibly honest, it was deleted! ha ha Not by me... it was a cyber glitch. After I wrote it all out, I was unable to save or upload it. Instead of trying to rewrite it that night, I set it aside for a while. Now that I am finally revisiting the topic, I am looking at it through a much more optimistic lens. So, maybe everything DOES happen for a reason?! Let's discuss...

"I believe that everything happens for a reason. People change so that you can learn to let go, things go wrong so that you appreciate them when they're right, you believe lies so you eventually learn to trust no one but yourself, and sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together." - Marylin Monroe

A popular quote, often restated by females, put on their facebook: quotes, statuses... you get my drift. I will admit that I even, at one vulnerable time in my life, have used this quote for some reassurance. Here is where my thinking veered to the more pessimistic side of the spectrum in my first blog. We've all been there before... your boyfriend dumps you. You're upset and turn to your friends for support. They are quick to preach, "He wasn't good enough for you. Everything happens for a reason... someone better is going to come along!" You have a job interview for a position that you want more than anything! You don't get it. In your bummed state, you reaffirm yourself that it wasn't in the cards for you. There is a better job around the corner that's the perfect fit for you!

The past two years have been a couple of the most difficult years to date for me. I've had countless moments where I wondered... "Why is this happening?!" And a close friend or family member would assure me that everything happens for a reason! As things kept happening "for a reason" I remember getting frustrated at never knowing what that reason was. As we all know... amidst a challenging time in our life, we can never make sense of what's going on or why. But take a moment to think back to a challenging situation you conquered, something that life has moved far beyond. You can slowly piece together things that have stemmed from that situation and appreciate its occurrence.

However, I've been contemplating for a while now... are better things really appearing around the corner after difficult situations, or are we just making it up to keep our hope? When we don't get our dream job, do we REALLY believe something better is coming along or do we convince ourself that is so that we can keep pressing on? Do we look back on a crappy time in our life and make sense of the spiderweb that came after it - pointing out all the wonderful things that would have never happened if we didn't trudge through that hardship - because it's true or because we want it to be true?! I'm not saying I necessarily think this way... maybe sometimes! I'm just thinking out loud.

Recently, I've rediscovered my optimistic lens on this topic. I am thankful to have encountered Buckhead Church. I wasn't raised religious (I think I found my next blog topic!) but Buckhead had found a very special place in my heart making me think about life in a whole new perspective and always strive to be a better person than I was yesterday. The current topic talks about our "Game Plan" what's our purpose in life. It couldn't have come at a better time for where I'm at in life. But Andy Stanley said something that I think correlates with this topic perfectly. He said, "God uses a string of opportunities to show you his plan; you can't see in the moment the benefit of your current position." I don't think anything could explain Everything Happens for a Reason any better than that!! There is a plan for us all... and sometimes we have to endure some of the most difficult obstacles. Some years we are on a high, but that doesn't mean you're obstacle free. It's all in His Game Plan for your life.

So I have a new stance on this little overused saying... Yes, things may happen for a reason. But I'm done trying to figure out what that reason is! I'm not going to fight that plan that has been in place for me. Instead, I'm going to do my best to enjoy the journey and learn the lessons I need along the way.

The Gratitude Cycle

"Showing gratitude is one of the simplest yet more powerful things humans can do for each other."

One blog each month so far... looks like I'm not doing so great at this blogging thing! Need to find the motivation and the day to get out my weekly rants (I mean thoughts) on life! ;)

It has been quite busy since I made my way back to Atlanta after a nice long visit in Michigan. Between getting ready for conference season, and prepping my first event with JACQ Entertainment that was quickly approaching, my schedule was full. I was planning a Benefit Concert for an organization here in Georgia called Leftover Pets. They helped out with my Cooper when I saved him from the shelter. They work tirelessly to save as many animals as possible from the kill shelters that are prominent here. I wanted to try and give them some extra support to fund one of their transports of animals from Georgia to New York.

I had two goals for the event. The first, to obviously raise money for the organization. However, the second was equally as important. I wanted to bring together several of the popular local acts of different genres; acts that are incredibly talented, but have never shared a stage together. I wanted to bridge the gap between the genres, to encourage these amazing talents to come together more often. The event was more successful than I could have hoped for. Not only to help raise money to save the puppies, but the artists really connected and had a great appreciation for each other's talents. I had such a blast watching the audience appreciate every artist for their individual talents.

I couldn't have been more thankful to have so many great friends that would loan their time to help me make my first event a success, and to help raise money for something that was so close to my heart. That's when I got to think about gratitude. As the quote states... it's one of the most powerful things we can do for one another, also one of the easiest, yet too often we forget to truly show our gratitude.

I've always been a believer in karma... that if you put good out there in the world, it's bound to come back to you eventually. For me lately, it feels like the circle of gratitude and appreciation. For many of the artists that donated their time and talent for my event, I had done something for in the past... even if it was just a little something. And I am eager to do something else to help any of the artists out as soon as the opportunity arises, so I can again thank them in ways, other than words, for their generosity.

Giving goes a long way. Much further than getting. Too many people have that confused in this society. As I've sat back and observed in the past couple of years, I've seen a lot of "me, me, me!" One day, those folks will realize that going that extra mile to "get" what you want to satisfy yourself, will never fully satisfy those feelings. However, you can't match the feeling when you selflessly take a moment to help someone else out - in any way, shape or form.

So I challenge you... make this week about others. As I heard in church today, life is meaningless if you're just focusing on the things you can see or experience. It's the affects and contributions you make to the relationships around you that will live on long after you're gone. So go out of your way to help someone else. Especially if it means sacrificing something of you would normally do for yourself. Then reflect on your feelings afterward. Relish in the rewarding feelings you have after doing a small act of kindness for someone instead of watching your favorite television show. Trust me - it will be worth it!