You’ve heard the phrase:

Everything happens for a reason.

What’s funny is that you’ll typically only hear it whenever something bad has happened because it’s a type of reminder that something good is bound to come out of it.

It’s pretty much another way of saying: Be patient. It’s all part of the process.

But if you’re like me, saying this simple phrase to yourself doesn’t really do a whole lot.

Personally, I learn better through stories.

For example, whenever I find myself going through lots of rejection in my outreach, I think of Alex Banayan’s story when he set out to interview someone of the worlds most influential people.

Or whenever I’m feeling lazy I might look back on David Goggins story on how he used to work as an exterminator and suddenly decided to take action to become a Navy Seal despite weighing 300lbs and living off of chocolate shakes and donuts.

And if I’m having one of those days where I feel like I’m behind in life, I think of Sara Blakely’s story of how she was selling fax machines door-to-door at 29 years old.

Stories are ultimately the best way to make something stick. Because whenever we hear a story, our brains activate areas associated with language, sensory experiences, and motor coordination.

It’s just a more interactive and compelling way to learn.

Because of that, I have a story that relates to how everything happens for a reason. This one is a little more like a fairy tale, but it still gets the job done.

Hundreds of years ago, there was a Chinese farmer whose horse ran away. Later that same day, all of his neighbors went up to him and told him how bad they felt and that it was just one of those “unfortunate” situations.

The farmer simply responded, “Maybe.”

The next day the very same horse came back bringing seven wild horses with it, and later that day all of his neighbors came by to congratulate him and tell him how lucky he was.

The farmer again said, “Maybe.”

The following day, the farmers son tried to ride one of the wild horses to tame it to only be thrown off and break his leg. The neighbors heard the story and came by to tell the farmer how sorry they were.

The farmer repeated himself and said, “Maybe.”

The next morning, a group of men known as conscription officers—pretty much an in-person draft for the military—came to the farmers house to sign on his son for the war. But once they realized he had a broken leg, they rejected him and moved on.

Again, all the neighbors came around and said, “Isn’t that great!”

“Maybe.”

I believe this story perfectly exemplifies the phrase, “everything happens for a reason.” Granted, sometimes the purpose as to why it happened might not happen as soon as the next day, but with every race comes a finish line and a medal waiting for you.

So next time someone tells you, “That sucks” or “I’m sorry you have to go through this.” Don’t give in to the pain of the moment, just respond with “Maybe.”

You never know when the reward will be greater than the trial.

Until next time,
Isaiah Taylor

Dive Deeper

What I’m Currently Reading - I’m still in the middle of reading Doris Goodwin’s book, Team of Rivals. A biography of Abraham Lincolns life during his presidential term and the men who stood alongside of him during the Civil War.

Quote Of The Week - “If you get tired, learn to rest, not to quit.” — Banksy