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When Life Throws You a Curve Ball --- A Lesson in Love and Gratitude
- Jul 13, 2008 at 2:10 PM
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- Comments (14) Total Views (281) Everyone can see this journal post.
One thing that breaks my heart is when I see a thought bubble that is negative or someone is expressing pain or sadness. It just hurts me to know that one of my friends is having a difficult time with something.
It’s also particularly sad for me to read a journal post that is filled with anger or resentment. I understand that life is not easy, and often times can be downright miserable. But, even in the most difficult times, emphasizing the difficulty doesn’t help make it any easier. We call it “venting”, but in reality what we are doing is placing energy on that which is making us miserable. This, in turn, is only creating more pain.
There are simple answers – simple exercises – that can help alleviate the degree to which we are unhappy, helping us to move on into the next moment.
LOVE and GRATITUDE
We can begin by loving ourselves enough to search for the light and the bright side. There is always a positive piece in our puzzle of life. Sometimes it gets lost and entangled within our depression. Love yourself enough to know in your heart that you deserve happiness. Love yourself enough to remove the layers of suffering to help uncover the joy that is hiding deep inside.
Instead of wondering why you are experiencing distress - instead of wishing something good would cross your path - instead of saying “why me?” – peel away those layers that are blocking your happiness and discover the goodness that already exists.
It is there – I promise you that! But, it’s your responsibility to see it. Become aware of it and embrace it with all the love in your heart. Once you realize that it’s there, it becomes easier to focus on the goodness.
Whatever we give energy to is what will grow and blossom within our hearts and souls.
This brings me to gratitude. By focusing on all that already exists in your life for which to be grateful, somehow miraculously, the distressful issues seem to feel not quite as wretched as they did before.
Life is not easy for anyone, regardless of how this illusion might appear. Each of us has issues to face. When you notice people who seem to have it all – to have happiness all the time – to always be smiling – to never complain – it doesn’t mean that they do not carry around sadness or suffering deep inside of them. What it does mean is that they have learned how to channel their energies into a more positive direction. They are the ones who have learned the gift of appreciation.
I mentioned smiling. Try remaining angry or resentful while you are smiling. Can’t do it, can you? Keep that smile on your face and continue to realize how much exists in your life for which to be thankful. Then you will find that heavy load of misery lifting from you.
I understand that life is filled with difficulties. If you know me, then you already know that I’m speaking from experience. But, I’ve chosen to not allow all that crap to continue to hurt me. I won’t allow the past to destroy my present moment. There is nothing I can do that will remove my past. But all that I choose to do in my present moment will help my future.
The past can be just the past minute or second, or it can be years of built-up junk. But, once it’s passed, it’s gone forever. So it won’t help to dwell on it.
Life is ever-changing and is impermanent. Life is not all joy and happiness. Life is not all sadness and difficulty. Life is a combination of everything.
Life is an education, a learning experience. All that is placed in our path is there for a reason and gives us an opportunity to learn a lesson. Don’t miss out on those remarkable opportunities.
If our thoughts and feelings are too occupied with our struggles and problems, we might miss out on the wisdom that’s been made available to us.
It’s okay to feel sadness when it is present in that one moment. Just don’t allow yourself to ponder it too long. Instead, remember to move on into the next moment without carrying the baggage from previous moments. If we continue to carry that old baggage, it become heavier and heavier with each moment; and we risk missing out on the potential pleasures in the new present moment of NOW.
Sometimes life brings us unpleasant circumstances that we don’t want - those "curve balls". It is what it is. So, although we cannot change some of those events, we do have the ability to transform our attitude toward those situations. This is called acceptance. And, that can help make all the difference in the world.
I prefer to label the horrific devastation that has entered my life, as challenges. Each challenge has presented an opportunity for me. I was not always aware of this, and wasted much time and energy on depression, sadness, guilt, resentment, etc. However, now I am so very grateful that I was able to learn the wisdom of gratitude and love. It has improved my life tremendously. And, it can do the very same for you.
NOW is the time to be mindful of each and every moment, each and every emotion within us, in each present moment. Instead of becoming stagnant in that moment, continue moving on your life’s path, going with the natural flow and be present with each experience.
Consciously choose to place more energy and concentration on the favorable moments and discover contentment with all that crosses your life’s path.
I choose JOY
I choose LOVE
I choose GRATITUDE
I choose all of these for my present moment of NOW. I hope you will, too.
Comments:
Thanks Ginny....I know that everything you are saying is true. I just need to practice what you preach!
Love ya!
I choose JOY
I choose LOVE
I choose GRATITUDE
Thank you So much, This spoke to me. You are such a great writer. And your words make my heart feel so much better. I want to thank you for writing this. I swear this is something I so needed at this time. And I will try to think in a better light about things. I know life will not always be happy and great, but there are things that we can do to make are life better. I am so greatfull for a friend like you. You are so strong and smart. Thank you!
Your Friend, Patty Mosso
Thank you for sharing that. That is needed at times. I do feel however that sometimes this maybe the only place that a mom has to vent. And, actually the holding that inside can kill you! I don't think the mamas that seem like they have it all have all found this way to put it behind them & focus on the good. I do think for a lot of us/them it is the not wanting to break that facade. I am all for gratitude & finding blessings in every event that occurs. But, I am also for people being able to express themselves. If you are hurting... then you should talk about it. In pain, suffering, depressed talking helps. Some, people can't find the happiness just from looking within. If a person is being harmed... this maybe their only place to find the help they need. Once, they get the courage to say so. Making them feel like all they need to learn is to smile. The problem maybe... that all they have ever done is smile =(
I always enjoy your quotes & they help me so much in my day =). And, the reminders of how to find joy & gratitude in my life day by day. That is greatly needed by so many of us. But, I do feel everyone has to vent... =)
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