"Life Is A Gift"
Sioux Mallard March 6th, 2011
A personal loss can take over every thought and action. Doesn’t it seem like you’d never get past this time? The time just drags on and is fleeting, all at the same time. Additionally, we have the World News bombarding us with all the civil unrest in the Middle East. It will be years before they are back to normal in the Middle East. But, locally, the hope of Spring is upon us. For the past few days – we have had sunshine mixed in with our snow and temps are climbing back slowly. I am looking forward to the promise of 60 degree weather. We will get through yet another crisis, though sometimes you really don’t want to.
We all seem to live our lives with a philosophy of “What’s in it for me?” We tend to make ourselves the victim of our own thinking. We grow up expecting certain things out of life, and when those things don't happen, we feel cheated. When something bad happens we tend to say, "What did I ever do to deserve this?" We find it difficult just to accept what happens because we get tied up in our own expectations and attachments. We put ourselves in the victim role whenever we deny that the feeling of being a victim actually originates in our own mind and that it is just the choice we have made about how we look at what happened.
If you find yourself thinking in terms of "How can I possibly cope with this awful situation?" you’re admitting that you are a victim. Thinking about how you can just get by is victim thinking. Instead we need to think in terms of, "I am in control here." "I am the boss of my life." Until you take over the control of your life in every way, you are making yourself a victim. "Taking control," means that you are the one who makes choices about your own life based on your independent needs and thinking. It means that you are not making your choices based on what someone, or everyone else, is telling you that you must, or must not, do.
I know, you’re thinking, “I can’t make that kind of change. I have lots of other priorities to stop and think about changing anything.” Here is an example of how easy it would be to change. What if you were feeling a pain and went to the doctor to check it out? Pretty routine, right? How about one sentence from your doctor that could change your ways? "You need to get your affairs in order. You have three months to live, six at the most." Unfortunately, Oncology is now a profession we all know as a common household word. Makes all other illnesses and problems seem to be more diminutive, doesn’t it? This would change my priorities pretty quickly. Then after a week, you get a call and they tell you that it was a mistake in the lab and you’re fine. Can you imagine this happening to you? The roller coaster of emotions! I believe I would make another change pretty quickly.
Maybe you need a good kick in the butt to get moving in a more positive direction! As hard as it may seem, change is possible, but you need to control the timing. Is it time to make that decision to adopt a child? Is it time to forgive someone that you feel has done you wrong? Is it time to move on with your life? You can do it! It is said that no one comes out of a struggle as the same kind of person as they went in. Sometimes it can turn bitter but equally possible, you can come out of a situation better. Regardless, it will never leave us the same, and it can lead to something better.
A few phrases for you to complete….
It always darkest before the …
No pain, no ...
Every dark cloud has a …
When given lemons, make …
Suffering and struggle can lead to something better. These sentiments are so common and hopeful that people want to get to the lemonade without going through the lemons. People want the gain without the pain. We want our cake and … There is no quick fix. No shortcuts. Redemption is like a store coupon. If it goes unused then it has no value. You have to go to the store to use it.
You were born to make something beautiful. No one else has the gifts you bring. You need to discover your gifts and give them away. Our gifts and lives need to be shared for a worthy purpose to be redeemed for its full value. Will you waste your value? Famous people, and not so famous people, make mistakes. Hitler’s gifts were many, but he used them in evil ways. Princess Diana used her gifts in worthwhile ways. We learn from both of them - which way is right for you? You might not see a connection with either person, but I would beg to differ. What you do on a smaller scale is a major impact on your life and those around you. Do you need to hit rock bottom before turning your lemons into lemonade?
Life is full of challenges. Figuring out how to stay motivated can be a nightmare. Seems like the rest of the world just goes on without you. Your anger and obsession can consume your life. Can you reclaim your life? Let God take your hand.
One suggestion came from someone who had lost her sister to a heinous crime. She just couldn’t get past the hatred toward the man that had killed her sister. Her therapist suggested she visualize the person that had done her harm as a baby, babies have no hatred, only peace. Then visualize that same person at age 2, 5, 10. At what point does one change? You need to see them as an evolving human being to let go of intense anger – not all resentment will disappear, but it stops you from being consumed. It will help you overcome enormous loss or a feeling of contempt.
Ever ask yourself why the Dali Lama is always joyful? His response is “The Chinese may have taken my land and possessions; they cannot take my peace of mind as well”. It doesn’t come easily, it requires practice and attention. If you cannot do it alone, then you need to seek out help. Someone that understands exactly what you are going through.
Share your stories of renewal and rebirth with others. You dealt with the sorrow or hard times. This was a gift, give it to help others so they know that normal people have hope.
Struggles change the way you think about life. Remember this old saying: “Yesterday is a memory, tomorrow a promise. Today is a gift, that is why they call it the present!” From today forward, make the decision to treat every day as a gift.
Sioux Mallard March 6th, 2011
A personal loss can take over every thought and action. Doesn’t it seem like you’d never get past this time? The time just drags on and is fleeting, all at the same time. Additionally, we have the World News bombarding us with all the civil unrest in the Middle East. It will be years before they are back to normal in the Middle East. But, locally, the hope of Spring is upon us. For the past few days – we have had sunshine mixed in with our snow and temps are climbing back slowly. I am looking forward to the promise of 60 degree weather. We will get through yet another crisis, though sometimes you really don’t want to.
We all seem to live our lives with a philosophy of “What’s in it for me?” We tend to make ourselves the victim of our own thinking. We grow up expecting certain things out of life, and when those things don't happen, we feel cheated. When something bad happens we tend to say, "What did I ever do to deserve this?" We find it difficult just to accept what happens because we get tied up in our own expectations and attachments. We put ourselves in the victim role whenever we deny that the feeling of being a victim actually originates in our own mind and that it is just the choice we have made about how we look at what happened.
If you find yourself thinking in terms of "How can I possibly cope with this awful situation?" you’re admitting that you are a victim. Thinking about how you can just get by is victim thinking. Instead we need to think in terms of, "I am in control here." "I am the boss of my life." Until you take over the control of your life in every way, you are making yourself a victim. "Taking control," means that you are the one who makes choices about your own life based on your independent needs and thinking. It means that you are not making your choices based on what someone, or everyone else, is telling you that you must, or must not, do.
I know, you’re thinking, “I can’t make that kind of change. I have lots of other priorities to stop and think about changing anything.” Here is an example of how easy it would be to change. What if you were feeling a pain and went to the doctor to check it out? Pretty routine, right? How about one sentence from your doctor that could change your ways? "You need to get your affairs in order. You have three months to live, six at the most." Unfortunately, Oncology is now a profession we all know as a common household word. Makes all other illnesses and problems seem to be more diminutive, doesn’t it? This would change my priorities pretty quickly. Then after a week, you get a call and they tell you that it was a mistake in the lab and you’re fine. Can you imagine this happening to you? The roller coaster of emotions! I believe I would make another change pretty quickly.
Maybe you need a good kick in the butt to get moving in a more positive direction! As hard as it may seem, change is possible, but you need to control the timing. Is it time to make that decision to adopt a child? Is it time to forgive someone that you feel has done you wrong? Is it time to move on with your life? You can do it! It is said that no one comes out of a struggle as the same kind of person as they went in. Sometimes it can turn bitter but equally possible, you can come out of a situation better. Regardless, it will never leave us the same, and it can lead to something better.
A few phrases for you to complete….
It always darkest before the …
No pain, no ...
Every dark cloud has a …
When given lemons, make …
Suffering and struggle can lead to something better. These sentiments are so common and hopeful that people want to get to the lemonade without going through the lemons. People want the gain without the pain. We want our cake and … There is no quick fix. No shortcuts. Redemption is like a store coupon. If it goes unused then it has no value. You have to go to the store to use it.
You were born to make something beautiful. No one else has the gifts you bring. You need to discover your gifts and give them away. Our gifts and lives need to be shared for a worthy purpose to be redeemed for its full value. Will you waste your value? Famous people, and not so famous people, make mistakes. Hitler’s gifts were many, but he used them in evil ways. Princess Diana used her gifts in worthwhile ways. We learn from both of them - which way is right for you? You might not see a connection with either person, but I would beg to differ. What you do on a smaller scale is a major impact on your life and those around you. Do you need to hit rock bottom before turning your lemons into lemonade?
Life is full of challenges. Figuring out how to stay motivated can be a nightmare. Seems like the rest of the world just goes on without you. Your anger and obsession can consume your life. Can you reclaim your life? Let God take your hand.
One suggestion came from someone who had lost her sister to a heinous crime. She just couldn’t get past the hatred toward the man that had killed her sister. Her therapist suggested she visualize the person that had done her harm as a baby, babies have no hatred, only peace. Then visualize that same person at age 2, 5, 10. At what point does one change? You need to see them as an evolving human being to let go of intense anger – not all resentment will disappear, but it stops you from being consumed. It will help you overcome enormous loss or a feeling of contempt.
Ever ask yourself why the Dali Lama is always joyful? His response is “The Chinese may have taken my land and possessions; they cannot take my peace of mind as well”. It doesn’t come easily, it requires practice and attention. If you cannot do it alone, then you need to seek out help. Someone that understands exactly what you are going through.
Share your stories of renewal and rebirth with others. You dealt with the sorrow or hard times. This was a gift, give it to help others so they know that normal people have hope.
Struggles change the way you think about life. Remember this old saying: “Yesterday is a memory, tomorrow a promise. Today is a gift, that is why they call it the present!” From today forward, make the decision to treat every day as a gift.