Does everything happen for a reason? Options

[StandardEdition]

can we get an example or something? i really don't understand this adding up thing i don't think. are we talking about only the things that happen to add up in ur favor, or are we talking about everything?

Ok I mean adding up as in you did something in the past [good or bad] and you get rewarded or punished for it. But that doesn't nessecarily have go in context with "everything happens for a reason". I think I got confused which is why I keep talkign about adding up instead of really talking about everything happens for a reason. Also, I was tlakign about things adding up in my life [and beleive me theyre not in my favor] but this is really about everythign for everyone everwhere.

[NYCin2009]

What doesn't happen for a reason?

A reason, according to the dictionary, is a rational motive for a belief or action. So, yes, as far as not extending beyond the limits of our own knowledge, everything happens for a reason. Not because it teaches us a lesson or any result that occurs after; that would be a consequence.

And if everything in your life is a downfall, of course everyone has a reason as to why it is? Some people can't pay the bills because they're not working long enough hours; people may be homeless because of a fire. The fire may have occurred from a forest fire, and the forest fire might have started because some kids were fooling around with matches.

Exactly. As far as destiny goes I don't believe in that. I like to believe in karma because it keeps me from doing things I shouldn't be doing. The reason I don't believe in destiny is that I think it allows some to feel as if they are a passenger rather a driver of their life. Life is what you make it. I think it's pathetic when people get into feeling sorry for themselves for a greater force has meant for this to happen (the whole idea of life being mapped out and fate). If this is ambiguous, maybe an example will clarify. Bob works very hard throughout high school to get into insert college name. He applies and doesn't get it into any of the colleges he hoped for. Bob now thinks that it must not be right for him to go to college. Bob used fate as an excuse for not going to college. Although I don't believe in destiny, whenever I get myself into a mess I consider it an experience that was there to teach me. It doesn't mean that I had to learn it so it happened, but it happened and i decided to learn from it. I don't mean to obfuscate so hopefully that makes sense. Pretty much life happens and quickly so take and do with it as you please, but don't think that you have no control over what happens.

[demolished]

Well, my life is going pretty terribly, and, well, I've been a pretty nice guy, trying really hard in school, and helping people out.

My life is inversely proportional to how good I have been. I have dying relatives, and tons of financial problems. I really see myself as being nothing more than a dysfunctional member of society at best.
Dead or homeless at worst.

If a God wants to teach me a lesson, he could have DEFINITELY done it with more subtle methods. Seeing as how I'm in school, I think I would be smart enough to pick up on it.

I REALLY don't see how you see that as adding up at all. You need to go back to 1st grade math.

well, maybe you dont tried hard enough to get yourself anywhere. If you want something, work for it. dont just work to work. work for the sole purpose of acheivement, not just to work. sheesh. when there's a will, there's a way. that could means sacrifices might be needed to get through a block in your path.

No one is perfect. i understand that. but, it doesnt mean you can just let things slide away easily.

[jaeman]

I think everything happens for a reason. And when you have a choice, you take life-changing paths.

[MrStrife]

I would love to believe that it does happen for a reason because all the messed up things in the world wouldn't occur if it wasn't for the better. Right? But honest, I think of the things that happened to me and the people around me and ask wtf would that reason be? What? Make us better and stronger as people/individuals? Teach us to learn from that experience? Do I even have a say in what happens in my life? Tell me not, this is like asking for the meaning of life. Maybe shit really does happen. Damn I just made myself sad lol.

[fameONE]

I strongly believe in the common rules of cause and effect.

Example:

Person A and Person B drink from the same cup. Person B has the flu. Person A later contracts the virus.

Example:

John Holmes was a legend in his own right in the adult film industry. He was framed for a gruesome murder in Hollywood that brought national attention to seediness and danger of what went on behind the scenes with that particular crowd of rich, drugged up socialites. His stardom skyrocketed after the murder case and the public discovery of him being HIV+. After that, the porn industry was forced to clean up its act (no pun intended), and the years to follow the murder introduced a more professional, but still seedy, adult business.

Example:

Don Imus makes an ill-advised statement for shock value that was perceived to be racist. He was taken off the air and forced to release a statement of apology.

Cause and effect. Shit happens because other shit happens.

[*yrrnotelekktric*]

i believe everything happens for a reason.
some you know the reasons why and others you dont.

[jaeman]

I think everything happens for a reason but the choices you make influence them.

[DoubleJ]

I definitely believe this and I will give you an example.

I have figured out that I am destined to be a firefighter. Now this kid is freaking dumb most of you are saying, but WAIT!, let me give you the proof.

Exhibit A. So I was woken up on a Wednsday by my mom and my cousin telling me that the firefighter apps had come out. Big deal I thought, until I got down to the firehouse, and they didn't have any more left, or at least they thought. They wound up finding the very last application that they had in the whole firehouse, and I got it.

How is this fate you ask? Well I met a firefighter named Omar, who just happened to have gone through the academy in 05 and he knew my cousin and uncle, both members of the FDJC. He told me that he had applied at the exact same age that I did, and he has now been on the fd for a little over a year now.

Exhibit B. As I was going through the testing phase of the fire department, I noticed that I would start to meet more and more firefighters out of the blue. As it turned out, one of my friends boyfriend and his father, works for the fd I want to get into.

Fate because this never happened to me before I wanted to do this job.

Exhibit C. I got an offer for a new job (my current one) which allowed me to train for my physical tests for the department with my cousin 5 days a week. I was also able to devote more time to getting ready for the demanding task of trying to become a jc firefighter which is no joke.

Exhibit D. This is the biggest one of them all, MY HOUSE BURNED DOWN! I couldn't believe it until I thought to myself, this must be Gods way of telling me that it is going to happen. Everyone in my family was so nervous that I wouldn't want to be a ff anymore, but now, I want it more than ever.

Sorry for the long post, but I just wanted to prove that I do believe in this theory.

[MissFits]

Ok I mean adding up as in you did something in the past [good or bad] and you get rewarded or punished for it. But that doesn't nessecarily have go in context with "everything happens for a reason". I think I got confused which is why I keep talkign about adding up instead of really talking about everything happens for a reason. Also, I was tlakign about things adding up in my life [and beleive me theyre not in my favor] but this is really about everythign for everyone everwhere.

So, does everything happen for a reason or not?

[StandardEdition]

So, does everything happen for a reason or not?

my answer is yes and im sticking with it