Fate

The exact time is 22:27pm on the 3rd of November 2018. I am sat crossed legged, on my bed, listening to the sound of fireworks explode outside of my flat window. It reminds me of the night I spent in London, a year ago to this day. I just had the sudden urge to write. To write about fate, my experience, and what it means to me. 

You've probably heard the saying "everything happens for a reason" a million times. It's a quote I personally like to live by. I've been known to say - quite controversially - that I believe that coincidences don't exist. I fully trust that things happen the way that they do in order to teach us something or show us something we wouldn't have realised otherwise. However you think of it, whether it be that the stars are aligning or what will be will be, all of us have a habit of blaming things on the universe, or God, or the stars. 

If you know me, you will probably be aware of the fact that I believe in astrology. Every ounce of me does. Others may put their faith in God, or another higher power, but for me, astrology is where I wonder towards. Like other religions or beliefs, it gives me a sense of grounding. It reminds me that yes, I have the control to change my life, but the course is lightly set, which in a sense, eases my chaotic mind. More on this another time. 

When I dwell on this, I often get reminded of how I feel about people, and how they come into play when fate and destiny is concerned. 

Some people come into your life as blessings, and others as lessons. 

Equally as important. One slightly nicer to deal with than the other. 

I can name 8 people (excluding family, because they are family, and that's different) that I know for a fact were put in my life for a reason. I can even tell you that reason, as I feel so strongly about it. Some were good reasons, some were bad. Mostly good though. 

I am not going to tell you the identities, but I will tell the reason of why I believe I met all 8 of these people and what they each taught me.

Person 1 taught me what it feels like to be screwed over by a friend for the first time.They also taught me forgiveness, trust and the capacity to love someone as family. 

Person 2 taught me what love feels like, but also what love shouldn't feel like. 

Person 3 taught me how true friendships can form. They showed me that people can understand you, to your core, and that even though obstacles may get in the way, true friendship will always suffice. 

Person 4 taught me how true friendships can form online. And that they are of no less value than any other friendship. 

Person 5 taught me to never judge a book by its cover. Or their cover in this sense. And there's more to people than you would think. They taught me to open up to people I normally wouldn't and recognise that people are more like myself than I would typically like to believe. 

Person 6 taught me that nobody is perfect, no matter how much you romanticise them. Every one has flaws, and it's up to you whether you should make that compromise. They also taught me patience, and the true meaning of everything takes time. 

Person 7 taught me that there is light in your darkest days, and if you can laugh, you can do anything. 

Person 8 taught me what it's like to have a soulmate. And that soul mates don't have to be romantic. 

It is weird reflecting on these people. We are all on different paths, in different places, but at one point, they happened to cross. Bringing each individual into my life. Some for a moment, some for a lifetime. I value each of these encounters, and without them, I wouldn't be the person that I am today. Even the not so good ones - and that's the thing. You can either focus on the trauma that they brought - or focus on what that experience showed you. Every experience has the capability to teach you something, even if it isn't obvious at first. 

I can only see the lessons afterwards for the most part - some, years later. We all get caught up in the moment, and we never stop and think, why is this happening? It's not always necessary, and you could say that not everyone or every encounter can have a lesson taken away from. However, that is a lesson on itself, right? 

Next time you meet someone, have a think, why? Why have we met? What are you meant to teach me? If the outcome is bad, at least there is a silver lining. You can't have a rainbow without a little rain.