Sometimes life sucks. It does. It's okay to admit that. Things we wanted to happen - didn't. Things we wanted - we didn't get. People that we were supposed to trust broke it. A job we wanted - we lost. A loved one fighting a battle lost. These things matter...they do. I'm here to tell you - your REACTION matters more.
Think about this: Did "it" happen for someone else instead, to change their lives for the better? Did someone else get what they wanted - because maybe they really needed it? Did someone else get that job that needed it more than you?
I read a great book (thanks to the advice of hubby), that I would encourage everyone to read, called "When Bad Things Happen to Good People" - GREAT book! In it, the author uses this example to get the reader to rethink personal suffering: "If you are driving home from work, and suddenly you see a fire engine with it's light flashing turn onto your street, a normal reaction is, "Please don't be my house..." Maybe you pray for your family's safety. If it's not your house, is your neighbour more deserving of the loss?" Questions like these cause me goosebumps. In a true community, if your neighbour is suffering, so should you. Instead, we tend to breathe a sigh of relief when bad things happen to other people and not us. Normal. But should it be?
Seriously. Look around you at this moment. I may not even know you - but I am guessing you have a pretty great life. Focus on what you do have, rather than on what you don't. Focus on the joy, however small it may seem, and stretch it out. Let that JOY light a candle onto others, so they can share it with those around them. Spend more time looking inward for happiness and fulfilment, and less time using what is on the other side of that fence as a stepping stone to discontentment. If we live our lives comparing ourselves to others we will never be happy. Ever. Maybe you don't go on as many vacations as your friends, maybe you have an older, a smaller house...so what? Maybe they are in need of a friend..maybe their marriage is hurting....maybe life is not being kind to them at this moment. Admire their green grass and celebrate their blessings....but ENJOY your grass. It's yours. Use it with joy.
I can't believe it, but...I'm starting to appreciate the crispy grass. This side of the fence is pretty great!
Happy days,
Kathy Pettit
In life I refer a lot to "perspective." I believe this is a key component of who and what we are, and how we fit into our world. Do we easily find joy - or are we stuck in feeling sorry for ourselves and making the worst of every situation? Personally, I consider my myself a "wine-glass-half-full-but-could-use- a-top-up-if-you've-got-it" type of person :) Things don't often go my way. In fact going awry and wonky are the norm for my life. But it's kinda fun that way! I never know what to expect - and therefore have a hard time being disappointed (ok - disappointment does impact me - but not for long!). I figure if I follow my heart and listen to the guidance from up above - I'll get where I need to go when I am supposed to be there!