Accept The Experiences Of Life As Learning Tools

Everything happens for a reason. I don't believe anyone actually likes hearing these words when they are going through a difficult period in their lives. I know I never liked it, nor did my kids when I passed it on to them. They didn't want to know that they might become more careful drivers after they just totaled their cars. It seems that the experiences of life are what challenge us and force us to sink or swim.

There are many choices we can make in order to deal with life's difficult lessons.

We can allow our anger to take over and mask our true sensitivity and compassion. Nastiness and impatience can keep others at arm's length. Somewhere in our mind, we think our behavior will keep away those that may cause us harm. However, our demeanor may also scare away those that may be of help to us. If our hearts and souls contain goodness and compassion, our desire to keep ourselves safe can be the sand that slowly puts our fire out.

We may become reclusive and withdrawn, with no real affection for or from anyone, never realizing that love is a necessity to our fulfillment on Earth. I didn't have my kids so they could suffer, although I was well aware there would be times that they would.

I doubt our Heavenly Father created His children to suffer either, although He knew there would be times that we would! So, what do we do in times of deep depression and pain? Where do we turn for help and resolve?

I can only share my experiences, but I turn to God first, and pray for His wisdom to help me sort out the situation. I then talk to my parents, either out loud, or in my head, as they both have passed. I beg them to steer me down the right path, and open my mind to the right answers. I believe in angels, so I ask for their intervention if possible, and actually feel relieved after doing so.

I wait for the answers to come, and they always do. They may not be the ones I wanted to hear, but with so much spiritual energy flowing, I'm led to do what is right.

There are times that the answer is to just be still, and let others come around and see their own light. In other instances, I must break my own mold and reach out and do the right thing. I would never say that this is easy, but then, growth can de difficult. Moving outside ourselves and reacting to things in a better, more productive way, takes strength, and work on our part. We must be determined that we want to live a happy and peaceful life, and be willing to do what it takes to ensure that this happens.

There will always be things out of our control, but we usually have quite a bit we can do about any given circumstance if we just allow our minds and hearts to be open. I had no control when my mom passed. I was devastated and alone, and the pain was almost unbearable for quite some time. However, after I had grieved in my way, which yielded no results, I prayed, and I realized that I could live my life in a way my mom would be proud of, and I could emulate her compassion, goodness, honesty and total ability to stay humble.

Once on the path of helping myself and others, I was able to move forward and spread the goodness she had always transcended. How we deal is always our choice. The worst things in the world may happen to us, but it is up to us to learn how to accept, change if we can, and learn the lessons unfolding before us. the sun still rises and sets, the sky is still blue, the birds still sing and the grass and flowers still grow. Nothing stops when we feel hurt, unless of course, it is ourselves!