- Novice Monk: [Looking puzzled, watching the river] Master! If two people were never meant to be together, why then did fate bring them together?
- Master: Perhaps life is simply too long. In this journey, we are bound to cross paths no matter what. It’s not a blessing, but rather a trial. Without those challenges, how would we ever truly meet so soon?
- Master: Destiny isn’t just about the paths we are meant to walk. Sometimes, it’s about the lessons we learn along the way. When two people meet under unlikely circumstances, it’s not because they were always destined to be together—but because their encounter holds a deeper purpose.
- Novice Monk: So, these encounters are trials, then? Not always meant to last, but to teach us something?
- Master: Yes, exactly. Trials don’t always bring us what we expect. Sometimes they challenge us, forcing us to grow, to understand the complexity of connection, or to confront our own weaknesses. We may not always understand their meaning right away, but every encounter has something to teach us.
- Master: In life, we often encounter people who seem out of place in our story. They may not stay, and their presence may bring discomfort, but in their brief crossing, they shape our journey in ways we cannot predict.
- Novice Monk: [Nods slowly, absorbing the Master’s words] So, it’s not about whether they stay, but about what we learn from the encounter?
- Master: Exactly. It’s in the trials we face with others, even briefly, that we find the strength to move forward. These encounters are like stepping stones, leading us toward the lessons we are meant to learn. Whether or not they last, they are a part of our destiny. Fate doesn’t always give us the answers we want, but it does present the lessons we need. Sometimes, the paths we cross are just a way to test us, to help us understand our true purpose.
- Novice Monk: [Reflecting] So, it’s the meeting itself that matters, not the outcome.
- Master: Yes. The trials of destiny guide us. How we respond to them, how we grow from them—that is the true test.
Fate and destiny often present us with challenges and hardships as part of the journey to shape our lives and relationships. These “trials” aren’t merely obstacles to overcome—they are essential experiences that push us forward, test our strength, and ultimately guide us toward meaningful encounters, decisions, and changes in direction. It’s easy to view these moments as setbacks, but the idea is that the paths we take, however difficult they seem, are not random. They are necessary steps that lead us toward the people, places, and pivotal moments that are meant to define our future. These experiences are like milestones on the road to something greater, even when we can’t see the end of the journey.
It’s often said that fate has a plan for us, guiding us toward particular people or moments. However, it’s the trials we face along the way that push us to grow, change course, and adapt to the evolving nature of our lives. The obstacles we encounter—whether in love, friendship, or even professional connections—force us to reflect on who we are, what we want, and how we relate to others. These struggles, while challenging, prepare us for the deeper, more meaningful connections we’re destined to make, even if we don’t fully understand why these difficulties are happening at the moment.
The trials we face, whether they come in the form of heartbreak, loss, failure, or even moments of doubt, are often the very experiences that shape us into the people we need to become to meet our destiny. It’s through these hardships that we find the strength, wisdom, and clarity to recognize when something—or someone—truly aligns with who we are becoming. It’s almost as if the universe, fate, or destiny knows we need these lessons, even if they don’t make sense at the moment.
We’ve likely all faced trials that, in hindsight, led us to life-changing moments or relationships we never anticipated. The beauty of this idea is that every difficulty we face serves a greater purpose, guiding us toward what’s meant for us. Sometimes, the path we walk is filled with uncertainty, and we question the reason behind the struggles we endure. In the end, we realize that each trial has shaped us, leading us exactly where we needed to be. So, what do you think? Have you ever looked back and realized that the challenges you faced were part of a greater plan, guiding you toward your true destiny?
In life, not every path crossed is meant to stay. Some are trials—tests that challenge and shape us. Embrace them, for they are part of the journey.
Every encounter has its purpose. Learn from it.
