Do things happen for a reason?

I have been in a very philosophical mood lately. My entire life I have been a classic "Type A" personality. I find it very hard to just live in the moment and enjoy life. Constantly planning, organizing and learning are the epitome of my life's journey. I wish that I had the personality of my brother who can just deflect problems and live life with a much laid back attitude. There has been one philosophical approach that has helped me learn to take a bigger picture of life. The saying of "All things happen for a reason". I especially feel this occurs with friendships.

As the years pass and challenges are met, I am able to look back and clearly see a path that wasn't always obvious when I was careening down it. Why do bad things happen to good people? Why do certain people come into your life....while you lose touch with others? Sometimes a person will just take over my life in this blaze and it is clear that we have a friendship due to a specific reason. Other times I am lost as to why I am engaging in certain relationships.....especially if it feels very one-sided. Sometimes the picture becomes clearer many years later when certain friendships become my anchor in times of stress. The times that I have been faced with the hardest challenges, the most difficult decisions, and the most traumatic events have all lead me down a path that has resulted with life-altering changes. Fortunately most have worked out in my favor.....so does that mean that I made the "right" choices? I love the 1998 movie "Sliding Doors" because its story is based on a story of Gwyneth Paltrow's Helen. "Helen is fired from her job at a PR company, and when the sliding doors of the tube car close on her, we start to see what would have happened if she'd made the train, and if she hadn't." The movie shows not only that things happen for a reason but the impact of fate.

Although I was brought up in a strict Catholic household, I haven't embraced any type of organized religion in years. I find philosophical discussions much more enticing and engaging. During the craziness of this holiday season I like to take the time to reach out to each of my friends and let them know how I value their friendship and support.......because without them I would be even more lost. I would love to hear any of your thoughts about whether you believe things happen for a reason?