The difference between those who Stay Strong and those who spiral deeper and deeper into the Darkness is really one of controlling your thoughts and focus!
Sounds simple - I know - but it takes real effort and it can mean the difference between rebounding back to the positive state of Joy - or sinking deeper into the sands of negativity, doubt, and despair!
We must understand that no matter what we encounter in our lives, no matter what life throws at us - nothing is permanent!
Nothing - both good or bad - that happens to us will stay in that state!
Do not be too quick to judge life's events as they can, and will, change very quickly and make you look at the past events differently!
So when times are tough, the tendency is to say - "Woe is me- this event is absolutely terrible and a horrible thing".
Hold on! We do not know at that point WHAT the event means in our life! Only the passing of time and subsequent events will truly teach us exactly what the event meant to us in the long journey of twists and turns that comprise our lives!
So do not despair after a break-up, a divorce, a loss of a loved one, a loss of a job, etc!
It will pass and the next event will shed more light on why it occurred - and perhaps show it in a positive light in the grand scheme of things!!!
Do not get caught up in the moment in time - but instead give the event time to pass and see what it really means!
Put your faith in the positive - believe and keep hope alive and close in your hearts and minds!
Avoid judging events as "terrible" as you never know what the next event to unfold will transform that past incident into!!
I will leave you with a wonderful story and nice illustration of this point -- enjoy and remember this as it will serve to assuage many heartaches and much pain!
Stay Strong!
Anonymous---
Once upon a time, there was a farmer in the central region of China. He didn't have a lot of money and, instead of a tractor, he used an old horse to plow his field.
This horse was his only tool and his source of income.
One afternoon, while working in the field, the horse dropped dead.
Everyone in the village said, "Oh, what a horrible thing to happen."
The farmer said simply, "We'll see."
He was so at peace and so calm, that everyone in the village got together and, admiring his attitude, gave him a new horse as a gift.
Everyone's reaction now was, "What a lucky man."
And the farmer said, "We'll see."
A couple days later, the new horse jumped a fence and ran away. Everyone in the village shook their heads and said, "What a poor fellow!"
The farmer smiled and said, "We'll see."
Eventually, the horse found his way home with 7 other horses for the farmer!,
Everyone again said, "What a fortunate man."
The farmer said, "We'll see."
Later in the year, the farmer's young boy who was responsible for breaking and training the horses went out riding on the horse and fell and broke his leg.
Everyone in the village said, "What a shame for the poor boy and the farmer. Without the young boy to break the horses, they will not be able to make any money"
The farmer said, "We'll see."
Two days later, the army came into the village to draft new recruits for a war that was going on.
When they saw that the farmer's son had a broken leg, they decided not to recruit him.
Everyone said, "What a fortunate man. We all lost our Son's to the Army but you still have yours"
The farmer smiled again - and said
"We'll see."
Moral of the story: There's no use in overreacting to the events and circumstances of our everyday lives. Many times what looks like a setback, may actually be a gift in disguise.
And when our hearts are in the right place, all events and circumstances are gifts that we can learn valuable lessons from.
As Fra Giovanni once said:"Everything we call a trial, a sorrow, or a duty, believe me... the gift is there and the wonder of an overshadowing presence"
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
