Not every meeting lasts forever, but every connection means something.
As we go through life, we meet all kinds of people. Some show up for just a moment. Others stay for a while. And a few become part of our lives for a very long time. But if you stop and think about it, one thing becomes clear: people don’t come into our lives by accident. There’s always a reason behind it.
Some people we meet only for a brief moment. Maybe we share a smile with a stranger while traveling, hear someone’s voice in a crowd, chat with someone in a shop, or exchange a few words at a conference. These moments might seem small, but they can leave a lasting impact. Sometimes it’s just the right thing we needed to hear. Sometimes it’s a reminder that kindness still exists.
Then there are people who are around for a few months or years, coworkers, neighbors, classmates, or relatives. Their presence changes us in different ways. Some make us feel supported and seen. Others challenge us or even make life harder for a while.
Not all relationships are easy or perfect. Some bring joy, and others test our patience. But all of them teach us something important. That’s part of growing and figuring life out.
Think about all the different kinds of people who’ve been part of your life: parents, siblings, cousins, friends, colleagues, neighbors. Each one played a role, big or small, during a certain time. Some stayed for a long time, while others drifted away. And that’s okay.
Have you ever noticed how we feel different things for different people? We might want to avoid someone, feel really close to another, miss someone badly, or feel drawn to someone we’ve barely spoken to. Why does that happen?
Because every connection has a purpose. A coworker in another country might become closer to us than a sibling. A friend could become more like family. A neighbor might become the person we trust the most. These things don’t just happen. There’s something meaningful behind every connection.
“Maybe they’re here to teach us something. Maybe we’re here to help them. Or maybe it’s just about sharing a moment that helps both people grow a little.”
Even short interactions – a driver’s kindness, a few words during an interview, or just a passing conversation – can stay with us. They might help us make a decision, see something differently, or feel less alone at a tough time.
Everyone has their own timing in our life. Some stay for years, some only for days. But none of them show up without a reason. When we understand this, we stop holding on too tightly to people or feeling bad when things change. We start to appreciate people for the part they play, however big or small.
It’s kind of amazing to think that every time we meet or speak to someone or even just feel drawn to someone we haven’t met there’s a reason. Maybe they’re here to teach us something. Maybe we’re here to help them in some way. Or maybe it’s just about sharing a moment that helps both people grow a little.
People come and go, but not by chance. Some stay, some pass through, but every single one leaves something behind – a memory, a lesson, or a shift in how we see things. And that’s what makes this life journey so beautiful.
Sucheta's blog 