December 2013
Welcome --
"Every problem has a gift
for you in its hands."
(Richard Bach)
"There's always a gift" -- I know, this is a popular buzz phrase and sometimes it gets to be a little much, doesn't it? However, there's truth here, and if you're willing, it can make the deeply challenging times less so.
What if the long line at the store prevents you from being caught in a downpour -- or allows you the right timing to encounter a friend you haven't seen for a while -- or it times out that you're the 100th customer of the day and eligible for a shopping spree ?... and so on .....
You see where I'm going with this. Recognizing the gift takes the upset, annoyance, anger, and disappointment out of the moment. The "obstacle" merely becomes an arrow pointing in another, more beneficial direction.
Granted, the gift isn't always immediate. Sometimes, it can take (quite) a while to reveal itself. And yet -- it's invariably there. It's a great lesson and practice that builds trust and softens the dings of life.
Begin with some of the small moments vs. the life altering heartbreaks. The former will give a solid foundation for the latter:
Pause
Breathe
Literally ask: "Where's the gift here?"
Listen for the answer .....
I find myself drawing on these four steps more and more frequently -- especially in distressing moments. Just asking the question reminds me of the gifts that are already present.
Give it a try. There's no reason to deny Your Self the riches and gifts possible in any moment, is there? Do You really have to wait for the "giving season" ?
