Why ‘everything happens for a reason’ can keep you stuck


Welcome to ALIGNED

The Newsletter for Living a Life of Abundant Good
with Spiritual Life Coach Joselito Laudencia

August 19, 2025 edition

Dear Reader,

“Everything happens for a reason.”

You’ve probably heard that a lot. Maybe you’ve even said it when life got hard.

At first, those words can sound comforting, like they’ll help us make sense of what’s happening.

But sometimes, they can become the bars of a cage, keeping us stuck in places we no longer belong.

I want to share with you a story about Sarah.

She was in a job that was slowly draining the joy out of her.

What she discovered might sound simple, but it completely shifted the way she saw her life.

Ready to see what living true to yourself can look like? Then keep on reading.

Now let's get ALIGNED...


Inspirational Quote

"The universe is not outside of you. Look inside yourself; everything that you want, you already are."
- Rumi

The Story

“Everything happens for a reason,” Sarah told me, with tears in her eyes.

She had spent three years in a corporate job that made her feel small.

Her creativity was fading.
Her spirit was shrinking.
She was just surviving.

“Maybe the universe is teaching me patience,” she whispered. “Maybe I’m meant to learn something here.”

I leaned forward and asked her:

“What if the reason isn’t something happening to you… but something waiting for you?”

That one question stopped her in her tracks.

The Spiritual Lesson

Here’s the thing.

Saying “everything happens for a reason” can sometimes be a sneaky way of giving our power away.

We might tell ourselves:

  • I should stay here, even though I feel miserable.
  • I should wait for the universe to give me permission.
  • I should believe this is all part of a plan, even if it breaks my spirit.

That’s not surrender.
That’s abandonment.

So what’s the difference?

Spiritual surrender is like opening the door of the cage and daring to step out.

It’s saying, “I trust life, and I’m willing to take the next step with faith.”

Spiritual abandonment is like sitting inside the cage with the door wide open, telling yourself, “I guess this is just where I’m supposed to stay.”

Sarah realized she wasn’t being asked to sit there and “wait it out.”

She was being asked to grow through it.

Yes, everything happens for a reason. But we get to be that reason.

Six months later, Sarah was running a creative business, helping other people find their voices.

She didn’t wait for the universe to move her. She stepped forward, and the universe moved with her.

The universe wasn’t testing her patience.

It was testing her courage.

Your Call to Action

Where in your life might you be sitting inside a cage that’s already open?

Try journaling:

  • Is there a place where you’re telling yourself “just wait,” but your soul is actually saying, “please move”?
  • What tiny step of courage could you take this week to walk out of that cage and into freedom?

Sarah’s story is a reminder: life is not asking you to be passive. Life is asking you to be a partner.

Don’t confuse waiting with trusting. Don’t confuse giving up with letting go.

The cage is never the final destination. The door is open. The choice to step out is yours.

And maybe… the “reason” you’ve been waiting for is simply you.

Abundant Blessings and Namaste.


Abundant Good News and Notes

"What's Your Next Chapter?" Coaching: If you are ready to explore your next chapter and take your life to its next expression of joy and fulfillment, I encourage you to consider one-on-one coaching with me. You can learn more about my spiritual life coaching services by clicking here.


Thanks for reading ALIGNED!

If you have any questions or want to share what you thought about this newsletter, hit reply and let me know.

Abundant Blessings,
Joselito Laudencia

Spiritual Life Coach, Teacher, Speaker
Author, The Creative Impulse: Answering the Highest Calling of Your Heart
www.abundantgood.com


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255 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Joselito Laudencia

Helping leaders, entrepreneurs and visionaries get clear on their next steps in life, with more joy, more freedom and more ease, all on your terms. Founder and CEO of Abundant Good Coaching and Training. Based in Los Angeles, CA.

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