Without the cloud, the flower cannot be

I roll my eyes to the back of my head every time you say “everything is for a reason” or “por algo”.

Life, a higher being, God, or whatever, allowing abuse, neglect, and suffering for me to learn a lesson, does not vibe with me. It is a saying that automatically tells me either you have no idea the pain this has caused or you just do not know what to say, so you say what everyone else would.

Instead, I wish to reframe this altogether. It is not that this happened to you so that you can…, but rather, this unfortunate cloud rained upon you, and you cannot control all around you and as life happens, so must you.

The flower cannot choose where it is planted, it just is. And the cloud cannot control what it covers, so it just is. This teaching comes from, Thich Nhat Hanh. I chose to apply this concept to the way I view my professional journey.

I am an amazing problem solver due to my upbringing. I can foresee danger and chaos and plan anticipation for it. I am an incredible organizer because growing up in a studio apartment needed efficiencies. I am a leader because I had no one to lead me and help me make decisions. I can project management from start to finish because some live experiences are wired within me.

I am the flower and I have become what I am based on my surrounding and chose to make grown strong and weather any storm.

Whatever your cloud might have been, you are who you are and can use all those experiences to your advantage. You are amazing at what you do despite it all.