"Remember that sometimes not getting what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck"

Sometimes, when we miss out on something we really wanted, it can actually be a blessing in disguise. Think about it—how many times have you been disappointed because things didn’t go your way, only to later realize it was for the best? That’s the core idea here: not getting what you want can sometimes be a stroke of luck.

Take the story of Steve Jobs, for example. You probably know him as the co-founder of Apple, but did you know he was fired from his own company in 1985? Imagine that—being kicked out of the company you started. At the time, it was a huge blow for Jobs. He was devastated. But looking back, he considered it one of the best things that ever happened to him. Getting fired freed him from the burdens of success and allowed him to enter one of the most creative periods of his life. He went on to create NeXT and Pixar, both of which were massive successes. Later, he returned to Apple, bringing with him the innovations and experiences he had gained. If Jobs had never been fired, who knows if Apple would have become the giant it is today?

Now, let's talk about how you can apply this wisdom in your life. Imagine you’ve been working hard to land your dream job. You go through the interview process, and you feel like you nailed it, but then you get the dreaded rejection email. It’s crushing, right? But instead of letting the disappointment take over, think about what doors that closed one might open. Maybe you’ll find an even better job that you hadn’t considered, or perhaps this is a sign to pursue a different passion altogether. The key is to stay open and resilient, to look for the silver lining in the dark cloud.

One of my friends had her heart set on studying abroad in Italy. She had everything planned out, but then her application was rejected. She was heartbroken. But then, she decided to apply to a program in Japan instead. It turned out to be an incredible experience—she fell in love with the culture, made lifelong friends, and even met her future husband there. If she had been accepted to the Italy program, her life would be completely different now. Not getting what she initially wanted turned out to be a wonderful stroke of luck.

So, next time you find yourself facing disappointment, try to shift your perspective. Think about what new opportunities might be waiting for you just around the corner. It’s not always easy, but remember that sometimes, life’s detours lead us to the best destinations.

Imagine you’re sitting in your favorite coffee shop, sipping on a latte and chatting with a friend about a recent breakup. It feels like the end of the world now, but think about all the possibilities that lie ahead. Maybe this will give you the chance to discover who you are outside of the relationship, or perhaps it will lead you to someone who’s an even better match. Life has a funny way of working out—sometimes not getting what we want puts us right where we need to be.

So, let’s embrace those twists and turns. You never know when a missed opportunity is actually the universe's way of giving you something even better.