I agree. The phrase, “everything happens for a reason,” is trite. I too, hate that quote, because most often in life, everything DOES NOT happen for a reason.
Not too long ago, I read the book “Fluke” by Brian Klass. In it, Klass talks about how we control almost nothing, but influence everything. For example, in 1945, President Truman and his Administration were all in agreement to drop the first atom bomb on Kyoto, Japan. The U.S. was all systems go until one man, Henry Stimson, the then-Secretary of War, convinced Truman and his staff to spare Kyoto and bomb an alternative site. This is because, two decades prior, Stimson and his wife visited Kyoto on vacation, and fell in love with the city. Had the two not vacationed there and developed and emotional attachment, Kyoto likely would have been bombed, instead of Hiroshima. How ironic, as this story also ties to your mention of the movie “Oppenheimer”.
“Fluke” has several other stories like the one about Henry Stimson. To keep it short, Brian’s message is that there is a randomness to life that is out of our control. That being said, the book also doesn’t distract from the times where we can control our actions and need to be accountable if things go off the rails. Sometimes it’s easy to recognize what we can and cannot control. The good news is, we all have the ability to influence our surroundings, through our everyday actions, by being the best versions of ourselves.
If you are wondering how this ties to suicide, the prevention of it, greater meaning or purpose, I’m not sure if anything I mentioned does. All I know is “Fluke” (which is NOT a self-help book!) changed my outlook on life more than anything else I’ve ever read. It has lifted a giant weight off my shoulders and given me an outlook on life that I never had before. Everybody should give it a read!
I actually don't think we have to make that choice. Reality is, I don't know if everything is purposeful or all chaos or some of both. But that's where the fate/destiny distinction is helpful to me. Fate is the part of life that happens to us, that we don't control. Destiny is the part that we implant onto life.
Great reflection, Chris. Rachel showed me the video you posted on Facebook and I really appreciated it. Funnily enough, as you mention the effects of social media on mental health my own drastically improved when I quite Facebook. Took some time to heal from the need *to be engaged* and *to post for recognition* but it has helped me tremendously.
I agree. The phrase, “everything happens for a reason,” is trite. I too, hate that quote, because most often in life, everything DOES NOT happen for a reason.
Not too long ago, I read the book “Fluke” by Brian Klass. In it, Klass talks about how we control almost nothing, but influence everything. For example, in 1945, President Truman and his Administration were all in agreement to drop the first atom bomb on Kyoto, Japan. The U.S. was all systems go until one man, Henry Stimson, the then-Secretary of War, convinced Truman and his staff to spare Kyoto and bomb an alternative site. This is because, two decades prior, Stimson and his wife visited Kyoto on vacation, and fell in love with the city. Had the two not vacationed there and developed and emotional attachment, Kyoto likely would have been bombed, instead of Hiroshima. How ironic, as this story also ties to your mention of the movie “Oppenheimer”.
“Fluke” has several other stories like the one about Henry Stimson. To keep it short, Brian’s message is that there is a randomness to life that is out of our control. That being said, the book also doesn’t distract from the times where we can control our actions and need to be accountable if things go off the rails. Sometimes it’s easy to recognize what we can and cannot control. The good news is, we all have the ability to influence our surroundings, through our everyday actions, by being the best versions of ourselves.
If you are wondering how this ties to suicide, the prevention of it, greater meaning or purpose, I’m not sure if anything I mentioned does. All I know is “Fluke” (which is NOT a self-help book!) changed my outlook on life more than anything else I’ve ever read. It has lifted a giant weight off my shoulders and given me an outlook on life that I never had before. Everybody should give it a read!
I think you probably either have to choose between "Nothing happens for a reason" and "Everything happens for a reason".
I actually don't think we have to make that choice. Reality is, I don't know if everything is purposeful or all chaos or some of both. But that's where the fate/destiny distinction is helpful to me. Fate is the part of life that happens to us, that we don't control. Destiny is the part that we implant onto life.
Great reflection, Chris. Rachel showed me the video you posted on Facebook and I really appreciated it. Funnily enough, as you mention the effects of social media on mental health my own drastically improved when I quite Facebook. Took some time to heal from the need *to be engaged* and *to post for recognition* but it has helped me tremendously.
I also should note that you posted this on the day that my brother died by suicide, two years ago
👀 Wow, that's nuts. Hope it contributed to some some healthy reflection. Love you guys, brother.