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Everything Happens for a Reason

My WIP has a lot of things going in it right now, and so does my life. This is what I’m telling myself:

What do you tell yourself when chaos surrounds you, in your everyday life or your writing?

Damyanti Biswas

Damyanti Biswas is the author of You Beneath Your Skin and numerous short stories that have been published in magazines and anthologies in the US, the UK, and Asia. She has been shortlisted for Best Small Fictions and Bath Novel Awards and is co-editor of the Forge Literary Magazine. Her literary crime thriller series, the Blue Mumbai, is represented by Lucienne Diver from The Knight Agency. Both The Blue Bar and The Blue Monsoon were published in 2023.

I appreciate comments, and I always visit back. If you're having trouble commenting, let me know via the contact form, or tweet me up @damyantig !

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26 Comments

  • Marian Allen says:

    My dear grandmother used to say, "This, too, shall pass." That's what I tell myself when things are going wrong, to help me hang on. It's also what I tell myself when things are going RIGHT, so I'll appreciate the good while I have it.

    Marian Allen
    Fantasies, mysteries, comedies, recipes

  • Barbara says:

    My favourite thing to read out loud when I need comfort is: http://thesecret.tv/optimists-creed/optimists-creed.pdf

    Roadtrip: On my way from A all the way to Z!
    English Speaking Zone

  • loverofwords says:

    I don't personally think that things happen for a reason, but it's how you react to problems is in your power. A good cry is good if things are really tough. Emotionally it is good, good hormones kick in. And getting outside somehow, a park if possible, and walk, walk, walk. Do not listen to negative comments but I hate the "look on the bright side" comment. A good friend says, "I'm sorry, I'm here if you need me."

  • When chaos reighns in my life, I tell myself things will revert back to normal and I ponder over what I could have done to cause it.

    http://francene-wordstitcher.blogspot.com/

  • Mina Burrows says:

    I tell myself to keep moving forward. 🙂

  • You're right. Stuff happens for a reason. When things hit me cattywumpuss (and boy, have they in the past!) I think I'm just that little bit stronger. Sometimes it's almost impossible for me not to fall apart, but if the bad things happen again I'll remember your words 🙂

  • Libby says:

    I actually just watch a lot of TV. Not the best thing.

  • I believe everything happens for a reason too.

    But mostly, in the midst of chaos, you'll find me in the middle of the room shouting 'IT'S NOT FAIR'.

  • I like that last part: sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together.
    Like Tonja, I also clean when I feel overwhelmed by everything! I feel like I'll be more capable of getting everything done if the space around me is neat and tidy.
    Then there's also "Be still and know that I am God" (Ps 46:10). Though that may not help people who aren't Christian and don't believe that!

  • I believe the Good Lord above protects me and also allows for crazy stuff to happen. One day I'll know why. Until then, I'll just have to keep the faith.

  • Hi Amlokiblogs, sorry it took me so long to get back to you. And sorry you're having difficulty with the writing. Join the other million club like us. 😉 I would like to think there's a reason for everything but there's a cynical part in me who just won't accept that. It's too easy, too comforting. But it helps to go through the bad patch. On the plus side, i've been told on Saturday that the successful people aren't the one who questioned themselves, they just fall down and get up and try again. Regardless of circumstances. Circumstances are not personal. They are just there. And whether you give up or keep at it, they don't care. So in the end, it's really up to you to keep at it. Tough lesson I know. 😉 Oh and thanks for leaving a msg on my blog. I also believe every day should be an earth day.

  • Mina Lobo says:

    I remind myself of Winston Churchill's words, "When you're going through hell, keep going." I don't know that rainbows and pots of gold await me on the other side, but I hope that, at least, the hell will be done with.

    Some Dark Romantic

  • shelly says:

    this was a great little post-especially since i feel like my world is falling apart.

  • Lynn Proctor says:

    in all things, i pretty much tell myself something similar to your words—and that i don't always have to know the answers—

  • michelle says:

    I read this the other day :"Life is change. Growth is optional. Choose wisely." Karen Kaiser Clark

    Change is inevitable. We have to accept it. The important thing is how we handle the decisions and choices that we are faced with when the changes come about.
    We do not always understand why things happen to us, but there is a God above who has the master plan.

  • I used to think everything happens for a reason… Now I think more: "everything is happening!" and try to catch up to the reason:) Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. I guess what really matters at the end is not the 'reason' as such but your faith – be it in God or in those you love… or in yourself, or in your art… If that ain't reason enough to strive on through the messiness life brings, I don't know what is:)

    I hope that you continue to believe in yourself and what you're doing, Damyanti; if it makes you feel better, a lot of us – obviously – do believe in you:)

  • KarenG says:

    I take a deep breath, and often a nap, and then wake up at 3 a.m. to catch up.

  • Tonja says:

    In chaos, bemoan the fact the universe has it in for me, and I clean. I think it's a compulsive urge to get control over something, anything. It's probably a good sign that my house is a big mess right now.

    I hope things get better for you. The worst things in my life have brought better things eventually – always.

  • Sue H says:

    I also believe everything happens fease reason – and sometimes we are privileged to understand why.

    Looking back on some of the 'discrepancies' in my life I can see the reason why things happened in the order they did. Not everything is explained but I can see a pattern to some issues.

    My faith helps me to begin to accept the (as yet) unanswered things; even the awful health issues we are facing as a family. It isn't pleasant going through it, but there is some comfort in knowing that no experience is
    wasted.

  • Everything happens for a reason . . .I agree. I love how you worded that part about everything falling apart so that everything can fall together later.

  • Nope. Don't believe it. Sorry. Chaos happens. There doesn't have to be a reason for everything. That's just the way I believe.

  • Betty Alark says:

    If everything does happen for a reason then there is no chaos. If it's happening for a reason and that reason affects/effects you for what ever reason then it has to be of some benefit, right. So in that sense it is all good even though it might not seem that way when you're actually hit by it.

    I think there are reasons behind all things; I also think that our choices and decisions create reason and outcome.The outcome isn't always known before hand however, it is based on our choices.

    Chaos never surrounds me when I write! There may be inner turmoil however, the answer to that turmoil is to release it on paper!

  • I'm sorry!
    Sometimes things do happen for a reason and we can't always see the big picture. I believe in faith. Nothing happens to me that God can't fix or make better.

  • D.G. Hudson says:

    I believe in Fate, which is the same. If all the connections of the possibilities meet – an opportune moment exists.

    I prefer to choose how I spend my writing time (blogging, commenting, a few blogfests that I decide to participate in). I'm backing off from tags, awards and such. They can be time suckers.

    Family and Life issues first, then make a little time for yourself and writing.

  • I'm not sure if everything happens for a reason, as in "fate", although it's impossible to deny signs and omens from time to time. I do, however, believe that there are lessons to be learned from every mistake we make, which aren't really mistakes but preparation for a life that requires more wisdom than we had before we learnt the hard way! I love the "things fall apart so better things can fall together" 🙂

  • Summer Ross says:

    I'm a big believer in everything happens for a reason too. I often tell myself when things aren't going right or are bad that it's just for now, it will pass and there is a reason it has happened.