Last night, a close friend of mine married the love of her life. Her matron of honor had told everyone a story, about how everything in life happens for a reason. Their parents had met one day because their mother decided to leave her school and eat lunch with her friends at another high school. My friends, Mr and Mrs. met because Mr. just so happened to be walking down the stairs while Mrs. was randomly talking to her friends after class one night. They caught each others eyes. Those people were all at the right place, at the right time.
Okay, my story isn't a love story, but it is about chance. If I hadn't decided I was tired of Lean Cuisine today, I wouldn't have ran into an old friend.
As I was paying for my food today, I heard my name.
I turned around and instantly recognized the face; I smiled and said hello.
He looked at me and said: "Hey! I wasn't sure if it was you because usually you're all dressed up."
It made me think - years ago, while I was in college, there was a time when I would wake up every morning and put on make-up FOR MYSELF. I would pick out a dress, the perfect necklace and the perfect shoes, FOR MYSELF. Every time my friend has seen me is at a social gathering, wherein I have dressed up FOR MYSELF.
I went to school the other day. I had on a lace dress, white heels - that I've named Nikki and Cole - and I was done up. The minute I walked into the halls everyone asked me, "Who's the lucky guy?" "Special plans?" "You look dressed up! Hot date?" I wanted to scream at them. I had dressed up for MYSELF.
Well, this happenstance bump in made me think about how people perceive a person. My parents are constantly breathing down my neck about the bar exam.
My mother once told me she was worried I wouldn't make it through law school because I didn't know how to work hard. I was invited to write-on for law review, became a Student Trustee for a bar association, was president of the Latino Organization at my school AND I was on the Dean's List in law school. So, false. I do know how to work hard.
I think the most frustrating part, is my dad jokes about how I never study; he worries about me because other law students "take the bar seriously." He too enjoys telling me what to do with my life and where to go with my life.
Recently, I was told by a fellow law student that people didn't think I was very intelligent because I had analogized something to a necklace in Civil Procedure. People constantly thought I was air-headed and had no idea what I was talking about. I'm not top of the class - but if I wanted to be, I would have blown the world away. It's not something to brag about - I'm actually not proud of it, but I studied six hours for a final exam once, I received one of the highest grades. Natural intelligence can be beneficial, but it can also be someone's downfall. Happenstance reminded me that I can prove people wrong and that not everything you see on the outside is what is on the inside.
At the wedding yesterday, I forgot about how amazing the people are in my life. The dinners we would plan once a month, the random moments at a bar in Los Angeles laughing about the flowers in our martinis; the sleep overs and lists of places we want to explore. It made me think about how every person in life has something to teach you - and if they don't then it teaches you what you don't want to have in your life.
So, how did I meet these people? Happenstance. If I had not been in a relationship (even if it was terrible), if I wasn't a hopeless romantic - I'd be studying law at Syracuse or UNLV. If I hadn't stayed in California, I wouldn't have realized my true worth and wouldn't have been able to write you a story about a light at the end of the tunnel. I'd probably still be in the tunnel! More importantly, I wouldn't have developed such strong relationships with my friends and I wouldn't have met the amazing people I know now. We wouldn't have had game nights at my house, or tapas in Pasadena. These people are truly inspiring - each of them.
My friends from law school. If my "Law School Bestie" hadn't been sitting alone, if I hadn't of wanted to make a new friend, she wouldn't be in my life. There would be no Hello Kitty Crew. We wouldn't have spent 8 hours studying our booties off for Business Organizations. We wouldn't have realized how capable we are! She wouldn't have been there to help me out of a storm. She wouldn't have been there, every day of law school, to make me laugh and smile. I wouldn't have made it through law school.
If I hadn't started working on an immigration case, I would have never developed something with "Boo Boo Bear." If I hadn't asked her to walk through Downtown Los Angeles and explore the library with me, we wouldn't have realized how much we have in common. We wouldn't have ran through the streets of Vegas feeling on top of the world! We wouldn't have been there for each other to remember that heartbreak doesn't have to be forever. She never would have invited me to Las Vegas where I started chatting with "Pen Stealer." And I wouldn't laugh every day at some joke "Pen Stealer" made via text message because he, yet again, stole one of my pens - I'm very serious about office supplies and pens. I love them! He wouldn't be there to remind me to stop taking life so seriously. I also probably wouldn't have gotten that speeding ticket, by the way.
Every person in our life comes in it for a reason.
Last night, Dentist's scent was on my pillow. It made me sad because I wish I wouldn't have been so scared of being hurt before the bar. But, I think his scent was there because I needed to remember that I can't hang on to yesterday. I also need to remember that I can't be so quick to assume someone is going to hurt me.
Bumping into my friend at Chipotle - happenstance. It was to remind me that there are more days to come tomorrow, more friends to make and people to meet. It's to remind me that after the bar exam, life begins and people are waiting for me.
Most importantly, it was to inspire me to write this... everything happens for a reason. Happenstance is there to remind us that sometimes we need a little push to be inspired and to do better. It's also there to bring amazing things into our lives. So, if you happen to find yourself in a moment - take it.
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