peace.....and get it together man! (or woman)
My mind has been all over the place for the past few days, wondering my own path or direction in life and no sooner than I start down this convoluted path, I am reminded I am never alone....for God is right there by my side and guiding me when I feel lost. I have received several poignant reminders this week, and I'm grateful....I try to embark this philosophy or spiritual belief on others, in my personal life (ESPECIALLY with my family) and with clients, without coming off as all-knowing or a holy roller because on both accounts I am not! Not even close. But when I think of hardships or struggles in life, I think Oh MY Gosh, I am so happy I have faith because I'm not sure I could do it alone! Believing there is some greater purpose in all of our hardships, sorrows, struggles, grief, and pain helps me to focus beyond myself and see the bigger picture.I want to be a faster runner. I not so secretly wish I was a Boston Qualifier/Finisher runner like my husband and my best friend, but sadly I am not. Does that make me stop running and give up my dream all together "just because I am not a Boston Qualifier/Finisher" runner, yet? NO way! Looking at the purpose in all that happens to us in life supports my belief that perhaps there is a greater reason and lesson for me to understand or learn in being a mid packer at best?This past week I received a very kind email from a reader of my blog, whom I've never met, saying "you told my story" in essence in reference to my struggle in the last marathon. While my heart sank to know another struggles with pain and wanting to do better in something he/she loves, I am proud that my disclosure of my own struggles helps another to know he/she is not alone.One of my favorite quotes, perhaps I've written before, reads "nothing great is ever achieved without much enduring"..... the motto from my sorority days....Go Theta Phi Alpha at University of Dayton...At the time I didn't understand the meaning behind those words like to do today (many, many years later...sigh....) Nothing great, nothing that matters really in our life, comes without word. Period. How I wish that I had a magic wand to make things all better for others, or how I wish that life was just easy...but it isn't. And no matter how much I want it to be that way, simply wanting it to be different from it is does nothing to change that reality. Nothing.When I look at my kids and they're struggling in school to get the grades they want to have...I want them to remember those words.When I look at my kids and they're upset because something they want in life isn't coming easy....I want them to remember those words.When I look at my kids and there is a problem I cannot fix because they've growing up too gosh darn quickly.....I want them to remember those words....It isn't what happens in life that matters as much as how we choose to respond to it.Today is the only time you get to experience today...what are you going to do with it?Peace and Go out and live the life you've been dreaming of and Never, ever let anything stand in the way of your dreams.