Have you ever noticed that just when we’re sailing in smooth waters, turbulent waves come that rock the boat and upset our world? Yet, even in the midst, blessings are there, too, if we’re open to seeing, and receiving, them.
Blessings. They’re not simple, are they? Sometimes the blessings are obvious. A new car. A long-awaited pregnancy. A new job or promotion. Other times, they aren’t. Sometimes, they come in the form of a tiny, nibbling sensation that you’re on the wrong path. A confirmation of something you may already have sensed but aren’t ready to acknowledge. Let’s face it. Sometimes we mistake the current situation to be the blessing hoped for.
Lord knows, I’ve been there. More than once. The good news? We have within us the mechanism to effect change in how we view life. We’ve heard it before, but I’ll say it again. Life is a journey. It’s not a straight highway. It’s filled with twists and turns, hills, mountains, meadows, and deep valleys. Sometimes it’s a desert. At other times, it’s an oasis in that desert. A pause. The peace in the midst of the storm.
In order to effect change, we must understand we are not always going to make the right decisions or take the best path. We do not come here knowing all the answers. No, every action we take, every result that we experience – good and bad – teaches us something, if we choose to learn it. Every day, every moment, we make choices. We choose how we live, interact, react, to stand still or fight. Sometimes we learn the first time around. Other times, it may take several times for us to get the message. Either way, we learn and then we choose how we’re going to use what we learned. It’s life – precious, sometimes smooth and joyful, other times turbulent and painful.
I, for one, choose to live fully, purposefully, and take the time to pause and reflect on what I can learn from every situation. We must be willing to learn. We must be open to learning so we can continue to grow, rather than stagnate where we land. Each day is a blessing. Every moment teaches us something. Train yourself to see the blessings no matter what the day brings.
Our attitude and intentions affect every part of ourselves, touching the spirit and soul. It is part of, and the purpose for, becoming whole.