FIX IT

“If you don’t like something change it; if you can’t change it, change the way you think about it.” - Mary Engelbreit

A couple married for 15 years began having more than the usual marriage disagreements. They wanted to make their marriage work and agreed on an idea the wife had. For one month, they planned to drop a slip in a "Fault" box. The boxes would provide a place to let the other know about daily irritations. The wife was diligent in her efforts and approach: "leaving the jelly top off the jar," "wet towels on the shower floor," "dirty socks not in hamper," on and on until the end of the month. After dinner, at the end of the month, they exchanged boxes. The husband reflected on what he had done wrong. Then the wife opened her box and began reading. They were all the same, the message on each slip was, “I love you!"

Henry James said “Sorrow comes in great waves…but rolls over us, and though it may almost smother us, it leaves us. And we know that if it is strong, we are stronger, inasmuch as it passes and we remain.” When it’s right, marriage can be a beautiful

SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP

Wisdom Nuggets: "Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence." - Helen Keller.

Are you an optimist or a pessimist? Do you see the glass "half empty, or half full"? Do you do your best to ensure you don't give wrong or negative explanations for the unpleasant circumstances of life? How do you handle circumstances that literally tear you up, and lay you bare? What is your reaction or response to seemingly unpleasant situations? No matter what experience we have, our interpretation of the situation is most paramount. It's amazing sometimes how we feel when we are ignored or rejected. But the truth is that life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick is to not get bogged down by it. We can get out of the deepest wells by not stopping. And by never giving up! Shake it off and take a step up!

One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally he decided the animal was old and the well needed to be covered up anyway it just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey. He invited all his neighbours to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and begin to shovel dirt into the well. At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone's amazement he quieted down. A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well and was astonished at what he saw. With every shovel of dirt that fell on his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up. As the farmer's neighbours continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and totted off!

You are a special being, created, secured, accepted, and valued. You haven't been abandoned. Not even in your times of trouble, persecution, or distress will you be deserted. What can separate us from creator's Love?

We must not fail to see that adversities, rejection and discouragement as opportunities for improvement and change. Tough times brush off our rough edges, carving us into shape to be able to conform to his specifications. We can choose to either grow strong through our experiences or groan about them. I  hope that you choose the former.

Let us end with this quote by Mary Engelbreit, "If you don't like something change it, and if you can't change it, change the way you think about it", and Seneca adds, "The bravest sight in the world is to see a great man struggling against adversity".

Photo credit: people-results.com