“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” — Maria Robinson
Fly free and high in the New Year. — Quick sketch of bald eagle doing just that by Pat Bean
I Call Horse Manure
I’m not sure what is in the air, but all this past week – during which I was on hiatus from writing this blog – I kept running across quotes that in essence said that everything happens for a reason.
A page from my sketchbook, which I hope to use more during 2014.
Put bull and my one and only cuss word together and that’s what I say to that idea.
Not everything happens for a reason. The good, the bad, the beautiful and the horribly ugly things happen randomly to everyone. While there may be causes, no baby dies of crib death for a reason, no beloved pet gets run over by a vehicle for a reason, and no one dies in a nature disaster for a reason.
We can add reason into the equation by learning and growing from the experiences when life boosts us up, or knocks us down, but there is no reason why things happen in this chaotic world in which we live.
In essence, we are not what happens to us, we are what we make of what happens to us.
What do you think?
Bean’s Pat: The Philosophy of Old Age: http://tinyurl.com/k63qnas I thought this was worth sharing. Even you youngsters might enjoy it.
Pat Bean's blog 
I agree with the reasons you submitted but I would also say there is a certain truth to things happening for a reason. I believe that we take certain paths that lead us to people, places, or circumstances. The choices we make often define our destiny. And in that vein Winston Churchill’s encouragement to create your own destiny is poignant.
Also people saying “things happen for a reason” is most often a way of comforting others, especially in the darkness of tragedy when we hear victim’s scream in anguish “Why?”.
Very good points Dawn. Thanks for expressing them.
I think I have never read anything more true than this. While I have always believed that chance favors the prepared mind, I also believe that we live in a random universe, and it may well be that no one is in charge, except us, reacting to random and often awful things that happen.
Well said, Mike.
Thanks Mike. I, like you, just can’t view life in any other way. I actually think it makes it easier dealing with “stuff” when we aren’t looking for a reason, especially the hard things in life. My friend Charlie’s thoughts above echo my feelings.
Way too much evidence for a logical mind to view it any other way. You are a good one, Pat.
Way too much evidence for a logical mind to view it any other way. You are a good one, Pat.
“In essence, we are not what happens to us, we are what we make of what happens to us.” I’ve added this to my quote file.
Love your sketchbook and drawings – and your opening quote. I’m saving that one.
I always liked the joke about the guy who was going to get on an elevator, but didn’t and the elevator crashed to the basement killing everyone in it.
“My guardian angel saved me,” he said, to which someone else responded, “where were their guardian angels?” pointing to the dead. “Out for coffee?”
Your sketches are brilliant Pat, as is this post. And again, we are in agreement. 🙂
[…] the little things like this that make me wonder as my blogging friend Pat does, whether Things Happen for a Reason. or is everything just random? I don’t know but my faith in the possibilities has been […]
Liked this post ‘Just For No Reason’ and meant to respond when I first read it. My perspective is: Things do happen for a reason. Cause and Effect. I am responsible for myself and my life path. Bad things do happen because someone (whether me or another) does something that causes a bad result, whether on purpose or ‘on an accident’ (as my young daughter used to say), regardless we are accountable. I could go somewhat deeper than this but I will leave it as it is. Always enjoy your perspective and your photos! Thanks Pat.