What exactly does the phrase "Everything happens for a reason" mean?

Basically, it means that you can find a lesson to learn with everything that happens to you, whether it is good or bad.

It means there is no such thing as chance. We create our own destiny.

It means that people are trying to be optimistic.

Just what it says. Everything that happens in life happens for a reason. You don' always know exactly what that reason is and sometimes you figure it out long after it happens.

It means that things that happen that you think might be bad have a reason for happening... i.e. You break up with a boyfriend, the reason is so you can find a BETTER bf.. Get it...

You may no know WHY an event happens until later when another event happens and couldn't if the first even didnt' happen. FOR EXAMPLE. I moved to Utah last year to take a specific job in a new office. Then they laid me off. WHY? I knew that in the broader scheme of life, it happened for a reason. If I hadn't have been laid off, I would not have gotten this REALLY great job with even MORE Income potential. I would not have been looking for a job because I had one. Everything happens for a reason. I got laid off so I could find this other job. That's what that means. It was the worst thing that could have happened, but turned out, it was the best. Does that make sense? Don't know what catagory this should have gone in, philosophy maybe?

Because it is inescapable. For every action there is a reaction. For every experience there is something to learn from and grow by, get it?

Everything happens for a reason... means even though some things that may not appear to be good going in, may actually have a good outcome in the end. IE. getting fired from the job you like... may suck. However, finding a better job a week later.

Sometimes people come into your life and you know right away that they were meant to be there…to serve some sort of purpose, teach you a lesson or help figure out who you are or who you want to become. You never know who these people may be but you lock eyes with them, you know that very moment that they will affect your life in some profound way. And sometimes things happen to you at the time that may seem horrible, painful and unfair, but in reflection you realize that without overcoming those obstacles you would never realize your potential, strength, will power or heart. Everything happens for a reason. Nothing happens by chance or by means of luck. Illness, love, lost moments of true greatness and sheer stupidity all occur to test limits of your soul.