We are meant to cross paths for a reason.

8.2 billion people exist in this world at this very moment, each with a different journey. Yet, every individual would agree that the thing we call "Life" is undeniably erratic in nature. The same upbringing, different personalities. The same circumstances, yet different decisions. The same decisions, yet different outcomes. Similar paths chosen, but distinct expeditions and diverse adventures.

All of this still makes me wonder how billions of people coexist in harmony, even though any leading world news channel would exaggerate and oppose this view. I still stand strong, asking why we smile back at a stranger who was looking forward to that smile with warm eyes. Why do we help an old man pick up the lemons and oranges that fell from his grocery bag? Why don't we first judge them as well by their race or religion? The reason is that the ground reality is miles apart from what is projected by political leaders worldwide.

But then I ponder the thought: why do we cross paths with strangers? Why did an eye contact with a person across the crosswalk feel like it meant something? Why do we ask someone who isn't walking straight if they are fine and not hurt? Why do we feel the urge to talk to the regular guy sitting in the same spot every day at the coffee house down the street? Why did a conversation about how a drink tasted leave such an impact that it grew into a connection much more meaningful?

These encounters lead to sincere bonds. If you have ever experienced the type of relationship I’m describing here, believe me, your life is going to be much more worthwhile. It’s easy to talk to strangers—no burdens, no judgments, and no commitments. Yet you chose to commit and stay connected. How special is that? We travel the world, meet people, collect moments, and create stories to tell our grandchildren. Anyone worth mentioning played a part in our journey. It cannot be a mere coincidence that we end up living in places we couldn’t even point out on a map when we were back home.

Everything has a reason—at least, I’ve lived my life with that approach. Eventually, crossing paths with people we’ve never met before has a deep underlying purpose. We don’t just bump into someone without any solid rationale. People come into our lives either for a season or a reason. There are myriad reasons for someone to step in and play an important part—one being to give our lives a purpose, or to bring us back on track and push us toward the right direction we were once headed. One day, you might meet an older person dressed in comfortable clothes, unconcerned with whether someone else likes their outfit or not. Or a kid, barely 8 years old, might ask you an innocent question about why we’re so worried about tomorrow. Suddenly, it strikes you that they have answers to questions you don’t. On a beautiful sunny day, a lady dressed in a blue dress with white flowers smiles at you while you’re busy frowning and says, "Don’t plan too much about life, kid... life is what slips by when we’re busy making plans." And you’re hit with the thought, "I’ve never asked myself what really is important in life." This is why we cross paths with souls that have a connection but were set apart in this life, only to eventually find a way to connect.

And then we remember strangers who now occupy special corners in our hearts, and they will peacefully stay there forever. The most important facet in deciding if you’ve lived a worthy life is to be remembered by strangers. I fantasize about that a lot. So here’s my take on it... I would consider having led a reasonably good life if, one day on a rather gloomy day, someone thousands of miles away from where we were born and once lived—because life took unexpected turns—would sit on a couch with a cup of hot tea, look out the open window where raindrops linger because it rained in the morning, and suddenly think of us. They would remember how months ago, on a similar day, they were worried if we would drive safely when we left work. They’d recall how cheerful our "Hey, how you doing?" sounded and how it brightened their dull mood. They’d think of how someone cracked a joke that cured a headache, how someone brought them coffee when it was least expected, or how an unexpected greeting turned into a deep two-hour conversation about life, family, and friends back home. Life is all about this and nothing more.

If someone you crossed paths with wish to cross paths again, trust me, that is the biggest win in life. Just take a pause, think about that special person who you still remember out of the crowd, and ponder why you met on that destined day and time and what turns life took afterward. Because, mark my words,

"We are meant to cross paths for a reason."

Harleen Kaur Brar