What Is For You Will Not Go Past You: A Family Saying from Scotland
I grew up in a Scottish family, where simple, wise sayings often carry more weight than long speeches. One that has stuck with me through the years is: “What’s meant for you won’t pass you by.” It’s the kind of phrase that feels like a quiet, steady reassurance, reminding you to trust the timing of your life and the path you’re on.
As a leader, it’s easy to feel the pressure to act fast and grab every opportunity that comes your way. We live in a world that celebrates hustle and speed - the faster you move, the more you achieve. But this saying reminds us that leadership and life isn’t just about moving quickly or chasing every shiny possibility. It’s about discernment, patience, and trust in the journey.
Leadership requires us to hold space for uncertainty and to resist the urge to force outcomes. It asks us to listen deeply, to our own values, our teams, and the wider environment - and to lean into what feels authentic and right, even if that means saying no to what’s tempting but not truly aligned.
In my years of coaching and working alongside leaders, I’ve seen how clinging too tightly to every opportunity can create stress, overwhelm, and sometimes lead to decisions that don’t serve the bigger plan. What’s meant for you - the right roles, the right projects, the right connections - won’t slip through your fingers. It will come at the right time, when you’re ready to meet it fully.
This doesn’t mean waiting passively or sitting back. It means showing up with intention, with generosity, being open to growth, and making space for transformation that feels sustainable and true to who you are as a leader. It means focusing on building culture, trust, and connection because those are the foundations that hold change in place long-term.
So if you’re feeling uncertain or worried you might have missed a chance, remember this Scottish wisdom. Let it be a reminder that your leadership and life journey is unfolding exactly as it should. What’s meant for you will find you - in its own time, in its own way, and often with more meaning than you first imagined.
