Everything happens for a reason. We’ve all heard it said before. Whether we believe it or not tends to be based on the current situation we’re in. Maybe you didn't get into the college you really wanted to go to. Or maybe you didn’t get into a class you wanted to get into. Or, maybe you’re applying for an extracurricular and it doesn’t pan out exactly the way you were hoping. Regardless of the situation, everything happens for a reason, something that given some time, you’ll hopefully see a little more clearly.

Let me tell you my story. When I was a freshman in high school, I applied to be a photographer on my school’s yearbook staff. When I didn’t get in for my sophomore year, I was crushed. But, it ended up being a blessing in disguise, because I used my sophomore year to discover my love for writing. So when I applied to be writer on the staff at the end of my sophomore year and got in, I was ecstatic. At the same time, I realized, I was never meant to be a photographer like that—not when I love writing as much as I do and when it’s one my main strengths in life. So, there was a reason why I didn't get in for my sophomore year. Did I understand this then? No, but it’s true.

Let me tell you another story. When I was starting my first semester at Binghamton as a transfer student, I applied to be part of the Emerging Leaders Program, a leadership program specifically for first semester freshmen and transfers. In this program, students are divided into Knowledge Communities—each of which has a different theme. I applied to part of the Public Service KC and the Arts and Humanities KC. So naturally, when I didn’t get into either of those and got into Global Awareness and Citizenship, I was disappointed. But this track lead me to apply for a mentor position that spring semester. When I didn’t get the mentor position, I was even more frustrated. I was wondering why the world hates me. But then, I was offered the Social Media Internship with the Emerging Leaders Program. So, I wasn’t named a mentor because instead, that internship was waiting for me. And now, I just recently accepted an offer for an internship this summer with The Heritage Foundation in their Communications and Media Relations Department. So, no, things didn’t go as I planned with Emerging Leaders, but the path I took was purposeful. I wouldn’t have been offered the internship had the unexpected path not been the one I went down.

All of this is to say that everything happens for a reason. Maybe at the moment you’re confused about the direction in which your life is going, or maybe you don’t know what your plans are, or maybe you’re coming off the heels of rejection of some sort, but everything in life happens for a reason. Give it time and you’ll see.