Comments on: Everything Has a Reason: Live Your Life with Confidence

By: Donald Latumahina

Donald Latumahina — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 06:37:05 +0000

Mary,
What an amazing story! Your story is a clear example of the concept in this post.

By: Mary Jaksch I GoodlifeZen

Mary Jaksch I GoodlifeZen — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 10:11:45 +0000

This is a very interesting post. It’s true that we can sometimes see the design of our life when we look back. Here is an example: I emigrated to New Zealand many years ago and left a good career behind as a university lecturer. At the time I couldn’t explain why I was so driven to do that. All I could say was,

“I want more excitement in my life.”

Looking back, the dots connect. In New Zealand I began my long training in martial art and started Zen training. Now, more than twenty years later I’m a Zen master. Who could have imagined that? So, the dots connect in a clear way: I moved to the country where I would be able to develop spiritually.

By: Donald Latumahina

Donald Latumahina — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 04:48:59 +0000

Yvonne,
I love your the way you say it: “Our decision help shape us just like the dots help shape us.” That is very true. It is our decisions that draw the picture of our life. And by focusing on the present we have better chance to make good decisions.

By: Yvonne

Yvonne — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 22:24:58 +0000

Very nice analogy. I always believed things happen for a reason even if we don’t know what that reason may be. Our decision help shape us just like the dots help shape us.

I try not to worry about the future, but try to stay grounded in the present.

Thanks for the added insight and I hope others benefited from your article as much as I have.

By: Donald Latumahina

Donald Latumahina — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:19:05 +0000

Lawrence,
Thanks for the example! I agree with you. When we fail, it often means something greater is waiting for us.

By: Lawrence Cheok | A Long Long Road

Lawrence Cheok | A Long Long Road — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 02:47:37 +0000

Hi Donald, wise words. Thanks for sharing these.

I totally agree with you. And I like to add that sometimes bad things happen and we fail because it may be because the endeavor is not meant to be. It could be because there is something else greater, more suitable waiting for you.

Ex-CEO of KPMG, Eugene O’Kelly wanted to be a baseball player, but he wasn’t good at it. Later he gave up this dream to become an accountant, which lead to his outstanding career at KPMG.

It’s another fine example of connecting the dots (bad ones including)

You can find one article here about the example I just quoted:
http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/when-to-quit-and-when-to-stick/

By: Donald Latumahina

Donald Latumahina — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 14:17:11 +0000

Rory,
When we look closer to the details in our life, I agree that life is like what you described. But if we look at our life from a distance (by looking at the big picture), I believe we can see some patterns. Things like our passions create such patterns in our life.

Corinne,
Thanks for the encouragement! I appreciate it.

By: Corinne Edwards

Corinne Edwards — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 19:54:20 +0000

You should win a prize with this article.

It is truly encouraging and helpful.

Instead, I will stumble it!

Congratulations!

By: Rory Parle

Rory Parle — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 01:26:04 +0000

I don’t think that everything happens for a reason. Most things in life happen one way when they could just have easily have happened another way. It’s chaotic, surprising, unpredictable. The trick is, over time, to convince yourself that you have what it takes to weather the bad and to take advantage of the good that comes your way.

Life is an adventure and you can take it anywhere you want to go.

By: Donald Latumahina

Donald Latumahina — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 00:09:04 +0000

Gale,
Thanks! I don’t think it’s necessary to think about what the reason behind something is. As you said, it will make our life more complicated. We just need to trust that there is a reason, whether we can see it or not.

Albert,
Great quote! Now I understand why you like it more than Oprah :)