I often hear people say that they believe there is deeper meaning behind events in life. One might also believe it is either fate, or some guiding hand which leads us to what we are supposed to do or to what is ultimately supposed to happen.
It should be no surprise to anyone who knows me that I disagree. What people see as deeper meaning could be no more than that which is later revealed to have been prevented from or allowed to occur. This is no more deeper meaning than the principle of cause and effect.
When we say that there is deeper meaning behind events by using after-the-fact justifications, we are showing our willingness and inclination to find order in the world. We want to believe that the world is not chaotic; that ultimately someone, if not us, has control. We want to be positive about the outcome of our lives and of our actions. If what we do or how we lived was meant to be that way, then we are allowed to feel solice in our position in the world.
Deeper meaning could be no more than the meaning we allow events to have.