Finding the “Good” in All That Happens

by Reuben Chow

Life isn’t easy, and often, the going gets rough.

One encounters all sorts of setbacks over the years in many areas of one’s life. There could be stressful jobs, bad bosses, broken families, abusive relationships, ill health, financial problems, and other types of physical, mental and emotional challenges and struggles.

And, when life is tough and when life is rough, it’s difficult, if not impossible, to see the “good” in whatever is taking place right now.

Some people believe, mostly guided by certain religious or spiritual beliefs, that every single thing that happens, no matter how positive or negative it seems, takes place for a reason, and perhaps that everything works together for the greater good.

“Remember, all things work together for good.” – Romans 8:28

Personally, I feel it is difficult to embrace the belief that everything happens for a reason. And, by “reason”, here we mean a deeper, meaningful and profound explanation. It’s too complex, too big, too difficult to understand, and it’s impossible to prove. Many won’t be convinced.

But what we can do is to look at it from a differing perspective. Instead of saying that everything that takes place has a profound reason behind it, a reason that points towards “good”, how about saying this – there can be some “good”, and something positive, attached to every single thing which happens. It’s simply a matter of where you choose to look, and whether you decide to look for it.

If you choose to retune your mind and the way you look at life, you will be able to find something positive in everything.

Failing in your business can be taken as a good lesson for future success – most successful businessmen have actually failed many times. Losing your job can open the door to new opportunities. Catching a cold can be a good chance to rest, reflect and recharge. Losing your way can be seen as an adventure. Spraining your ankle can be taken as a time to go slow and to learn to appreciate your usually healthy limbs.

This list can go on.

Of course, I very much appreciate the reality that truly bad thing do happen to people, things so disastrous that it’s practically impossible to discover a positive side to them. But, generally speaking, there is a silver lining to most dark clouds, and life would be so much easier to bear if we learn to look for it most of the time.

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