As an FYI, this blog post is a little look at one of the thoughts that run through my mind on a daily basis. The idea of interconnectedness.

The intertwining of our lives is a very interesting concept to me. It is the idea that people come in and out of our lives at a particular time and for a particular reason.

I often find myself questioning “Why am I here? Why am I at this point in my life with these particular people in it? Why did this person enter into my life at this distinct time? and “Why did this person leave my life?” “Why now?” “Why not later?”

Do you ever imagine how your life would be different if that person, good or bad, didn’t end up on your life at all?

To help you answer that question think about this:

What does or did that person mean to you? Did that person help add to your life or deplete it? How do or did they help you grow as a person? And finally, what would have happened if they never entered into your life at all?”

Even if you answered those questions while thinking about someone who gave you a negative experience, fortunately you were most likely able to learn something about yourself from that person and/or experience with that person.

Here’s an example from my own life so you can understand where all these thoughts come from.

Currently I reside in a house with three male roommates and I earnestly enjoy it. They make me laugh every day with their subtle comments or jokes, but I can also hold serious genuine conversations with them about issues that arise within my life. So why is it that I met these three incredible guys, and get to live with them for an entire year? Why did they come into my life now, and not 5 years from now?

One thing is for sure, is that I couldn’t imagine not having my roommates in my life. They bring me a sense of calmness, relief, joy and happiness. Maybe they were placed in my life as comic relief to the abounding stressors of graduate school. These guys are helping me to discover my passions, helping me to thrive at pursuing my goals and acting as personal cheerleaders along the way (even coming to my dance showcase to support my side hobby).

So here we are, all living together within this world together – breathing the same air – experiencing the same number of hours in a day. But why did I end up crossing paths with certain people and not others? Why is it that people enter and exit at different times in my life?

As I finish this piece, I find myself reflecting on the people who have came and went through my life’s journey, and others who have stuck within it. My life would not be the same without my friends, family, teammates, roommates, exes, teachers, colleagues, coworkers, etc.

I encourage you to take a moment to think about the people in your life (or who have left it) and ask yourself why you believe you met them when you did. I hope that you use this blog as a way to remind yourself how the interconnections within your life happens for a particular reasons.

-Liv

Photo by Simon Maage on Unsplash