Typically people question: “Why do bad things happen to good
people?” or “Why do good things happen to bad people?”
If you care to engage with me in a discussion around either of
those two questions send me an email. For now I want to focus on
the other question, “When do good things happen to good
people?”
I believe the world is full of good people who work hard, try
hard and have the very best of intentions in all or most that they
do. I also know that many of these kind hearted do-gooders continue
to serve the greater good without expectations of any kind of
reward.
Other folks may point to them and say things like, “John really
deserves a break” or “Mary is overdue for something special to
happen in her life.” Meanwhile John and Mary and all of the rest of
the truly good citizens go quietly and unassumingly about their
business.
So part of the answer is simply this, good things happen to good
people when they least expect it.
The next part of the answer comes from planning and preparing
with an intentional purpose in life. That is not to say that
goodness is rewarded to those who only set goals and plan for
success, but when good things do happen to good people many times
its because they have engineered their lives and set their course
for success around how they live, work, worship, and play.
They operate from a foundation of integrity and live in such a
manner that will undoubtedly allow good things to happen in their
lives more often than not.
Lastly, good things happen to good people because they
themselves seek goodness and usually surround themselves with other
good finders. They look for the good and watch for opportunities to
serve. They believe in hope, operate with purpose, pursue their
purpose with passion, and accept that joy is who they are and where
they are right now. If something else good happens for them that’s
great, and if not, life is already such a blessing full of love,
happiness, and opportunity.
Zig Ziglar says that “Every day is a great day, if you don’t
think so just try missing one.” Life is just too short to worry
about why good things happen to bad people. Bad things do happen to
bad people too, that is just a fact, because what goes around comes
around.
And sometimes bad things will happen to good people, it is just
a part of life. But if we think of Zig’s quote, and embrace the
goodness that can be found in each and every day our lives will be
so much richer, fulfilling, and fun.
Good things happen when we least expect them, when we plan and
prepare for them, and when we seek goodness in and around all areas
of our lives.
Thanks again for all of the emails, they mean a lot to me and I
would love to hear about all the good things happening to all the
good people you know, especially you at msnorton@comcast.net and let’s
make it a better than good week.
Michael Norton, a resident of Highlands Ranch, is the former
president of the Zig Ziglar organization and CEO and founder of
www.candogo.com.
