Coming Full Circle…

They say that everything happens for a reason.

I say they’re wrong.

It’s easy to believe that when something tragic happens it’s because it has a “deeper” motive. You catch yourself saying phrases such as: “This happened because I need to learn something,” or “Bad things happen to good people.” Some would even go as far as to say, “I deserved this.” Our minds become incredibly overwhelmed as we try to justify a life event and how it will affect our now altered future. Sometimes life hits you like a truck. And now you’re stuck.

Stop. Take a breath. Pause. And ask yourself: What about right now?

When we say everything happens for a reason, we get stuck waiting for the good, hoping that the answer will come sometime in the future. But WHAT IF instead of twiddling our thumbs, we act now and create that good? WHAT IF instead of letting ourselves get wrapped up in our own story, we seek out opportunities to reach out, not in spite of our tragedy, but because of it?

On my return journey from the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo this past weekend, opportunity decided to take a seat next to me on the plane in the form of a young woman. After some casual chatting, our conversation soon turned personal and we both shared our stories. Turns out that she’s moving to Seattle and dealing with serious health problems; serious enough that a transplant might be necessary. I seized the chance to talk her through procedures, show off my pill collection and offer some comforting words. We parted ways in tears and hugs as she smiled and thanked me for calming her fears.

This young woman will never know that the seat next to me was originally going to be filled by a colleague that had to cancel last minute. Funny how life works out.

So, where does that leave you? I hope you stop waiting. Life is going to happen, tragedies are going to occur and sometimes it’s going to be incredibly overwhelming. But when this happens, I encourage you to simply say, “WHAT’S NEXT?” Opportunity to create good in the world, to respond instead of stay static, is your choice to make. And who knows? Maybe that opportunity is sitting right next to you – not in spite of the bad things, but because of them.

Check out my recent return to the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, a journey 3 years in the making, featured in the news story below!

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I help organizations build whole-hearted communities through ‘half-assed’ leadership. We work together in three ways: speaking, consulting, and executive coaching. Step up from the ordinary…. Contact me today.