“Everything happens for a reason”

On the podcast Smartless, Jon Hamm explained how he had failed to land eight consecutive pilots and was fired from another when he landed the role on Mad Men.

If any of those pilots had been successful,  it was pointed out, Hamm would’ve missed out on Mad Men, for which he won 15 Emmys.

“Everything happens for a reason,” said host Sean Hayes.

I adore Sean Hayes, but this sentiment fills me with animus.

Tell a child born into poverty and violence in Somalia that everything happens for a reason.

Tell a Ukrainian whose family members have been murdered at the hands of Russian invaders that everything happens for a reason.

Tell the mother of a stillborn child that everything happens for a reason.

Tell that stillborn child that everything happens for a reason.

When you sell your podcast to Amazon for $80 million or star in a successful sitcom for years or marry the man of your dreams, it’s easy and rather convenient to think that everything happens for a reason.

You’re blessed.

You worked hard.

You deserve your good fortune.

God has granted you these gifts.

There is a master plan, and you are fortunate enough to be a part of it.

It’s all nonsense, of course. In truth, a whole lot of success is based solely upon genetics, geography, timing, and a hell of a lot of luck.

I love you Sean Hayes, but when it comes to everything happening for a reason, please shut the hell up.