I don’t believe everything happens for a reason. I find that saying to be, well, a bullshit platitude.

I do understand the appeal of bullshit platitudes. When bad things are happening in your life, this phrase or phrases like it give you something to latch onto. It gives you hope there is a bigger cosmic reason for your suffering. I mean, why else are you being punished like this, if not for some greater good.

The phrase has a distinct appeal.

But I guess I’ve seen too much. For the life of me, I can’t imagine what good comes from a child being molested or a woman beaten senseless.

I am all for finding a silver lining, but sometimes bad stuff just happens. And even sometimes hearing about that silver lining is too much. Sometimes you just have to sit with the sadness.

But if believing everything happens for a reason gets you through it, believe it. Do what you have to do, so you don’t sink into the sadness forever.

Confession: One of my cures for the mean reds (It’s a Breakfast at Tiffany’s reference. The mean reds are like the blues, but worse.) is to visit the Quotes board on Pinterest. I scroll through until I find a quote that strikes a chord with me. Then I pin it. I go back and read these quotes when I am in need of cheering up. I do it less than I used to, but I still do it.

There is comfort in scrolling through the words. There is comfort in knowing I’m not alone, that other people need words like this too.

Here’s one of the first ones I pinned: “Let your past make you better, not bitter.” Some pretty good advice I’d say. A little hokey sure, but solid advice.

Move on, these words told me. Do better things. Be a better person. Let it fucking go. Good, but not necessarily easy advice.

Here’s another one: “Wake up. Kick ass. Repeat.” This is honestly one of my favorite pins. This phrase still floats around my head. When your life seems busy and a little overwhelming, as mine does sometimes, you just need a reminder to take a breath and get it done.

These words tell me to hit the floor running, to send emails, to make phone calls, to write words, to walk the dog, to follow-up on those emails and calls, to cook an amazing dinner, and then go see that awesome band.

Don’t get me wrong. I am all for Netflix marathons, but I also get shit done. Nobody is going to take a wand and magically *poof* turn me into a writer. Only I can do that.

Life happens. Change is inevitable. The way we adapt to the changes life throws at us is what’s important. These phrases, hokey or not, helped me realize I wanted to be better, not bitter. I wanted to kick ass harder.

So I do. I wake up, kick ass, and then I repeat.

This week’s video is “Landslide “ by Fleetwood Mac.