Judging by what our family went through, plus what so many of you posted on your blogs or Facebook, this past year was very hard. I got to thinking about that this morning after I read this post from Giggling in the Rain: http://www.jenniferbelthoff.com/2013/01/2013-all-cards-on-table.html. Jennifer speaks of what she has done and is doing to set her life up for success. No, it’s nothing “woo-woo”, just common sense: get an oil change, schedule your bills. It made me see how truly difficult the road is ahead of us.
Which is a blessing, because it is all the result of choices we made. And it made me think of Anne Frank.
Her life, after they moved in to the Secret Annex, was hard. She had been a somewhat spoiled child and this was a huge change. I remember reading about how they rubbed the mold off the dried beans, so they would have something to eat. While she may have shown some wistfulness at times, or dreamed of how life might be After, she didn’t dwell.
Which made me think of our situation, and why my daughter and I are having such different reactions to life.
The only way to survive, or even thrive, in a difficult situation, is to Be Present, Accept What Is and Choose to Find Contentment and/or Joy in it, and NOT to compare to “how things used to be”.
Maybe you used to have X, but now you have Y. Be grateful for it, thank God for it. If we dwell in “how it was” we forfeit any chance of happiness or contentment in the Now, which is what will make this new life livable. I definitely believe our situation will become less dire. I do not know when. I do the best I can with what I have where I am.
So I will care for my beloved kittehs, be happy that I have Netflix and the Internet and some free art classes and thank the Lord for all that He has put into my hands (especially Sakura Gelly Rolls).
I hope that I can share this with my daughter in such a way that she will comprehend it. It would make her life so much easier.
When I read your post, Trece, it reminded me of the story “Welcome to Holland.” It was written to describe the experience of having a child with a disability, but it applies to many situations in which what we have now is not what we expected we would have. Maybe you (and your daughter) would enjoy it. http://www.journeyofhearts.org/kirstimd/holland.htm
The only way to survive, or even thrive, in a difficult situation, is to Be Present, Accept What Is and Choose to Find Contentment and/or Joy in it, and NOT to compare to “how things used to be”.
I really appreciate reading that right now, and I need to remind myself of this. Lately I find myself missing some things I used to do but can’t do now, while trying to find my life’s purpose and direction going forward. I need to remember to accept and be grateful for what I have, and look forward. Thanks, Trece.
this is true wisdom, Trece. I’ve found it to be so this year especially with illness and other life sharp curves. And you know? Life is good. I do have joy and wonderful connections with people like you. And yes, Sakura Gelly Rolls are a little bit of heaven!
You have much Wisdom, my dear friend. Your example will help the younger along their paths. Only believe.
I am so glad that year is over!!
Ugh. I think accepting what is, surrendering your resistance, and being grateful for what you do have is the only way to come through sanity in tact, with the least starring, but oh how I wished there was another easier way. Accepting this was my deck of cards to play and releasing expectations of how it should be saved me last year.
xx