"Life is not the way it is supposed to be. It is the way it is. The way you cope with it is what makes the difference."
Virginia Satir
A life lived is not without hardship. At times....many of us have had hardships we thought we could not bare....but we did.
During the holiday season with so many people being joyous and merry it is easy to enter a mind set of ....... well.......I would be joyous too if I only had his or her life. Well.....in reality....we do have his or her life.....we have LIFE......period.
We were given this life to live to the fullest.....not to sit around complaining about what we don't have or being sad because our life is not the same as someone else.
The Buddhist tradition believes that each day you wake up.....may be your last day on earth. Would you want your last day on earth to be one of moaning about what you don't have.
Let's think about this during this wonderful season of the year. Acceptance and being grateful are two things that can be visited when we find ourselves wishing for other than "what is". In fact, I believe, acceptance is necessary to being able to manage gracefully......"WHAT IS".
Any thoughts on this dear friends?
A sweet day to all of you,
Jo
A great reminder. It's too easy to play the "if only" game. Embrace the now...it's all we're guaranteed anyway.
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Barbara
Well hello, I am Sophie's mom! I popped over here after we got your comment. We were hoping to meet your Sophie? I love the way you think! I read a little about you before I came to your blog. You sound like such a happy, joyous person, that we could all benefit from being around! Were going to look around and see if we can find your Sophie, and were following too!
ReplyDeleteI find with age comes gratitude and appreciation, the older you get the more you appreciate every day!!
ReplyDeleteCarol
Your words about "what is" are wise.
ReplyDeleteYes Jo you are so right. We are all responsible for our happiness as happiness is a choice. Being truly grateful and helping others is what it is all about. I love your angels. They are beautiful.
ReplyDeletexo,
Danielle
This was such a lovely post. I've much gratitude and appreciation for all of my gifts in life. I've had a rough time recently, but I always try to keep in mind that others have it rougher.
ReplyDeleteMary
I would have to agree with you completely on this one! Acceptance is the only way to be able to manage "what is" with grace. Great post! xo Leah
ReplyDeleteYour post is timely and so correct. I am having a very disconnected December and instead of going down with it I am really being grateful for all I have and am able to enjoy this season. Thank you for this reminder of life. Jingle Bell Joys...
ReplyDeleteJo, this post makes me teary-eyed...this is a particularly difficult holiday season for my family so this could not be more touching. I may create a link over to this post on my blog this week if you're okay with that. Thanks so much for stopping by my blog after finding me on My French Country Home...your website is stunning and inspiring.
ReplyDeleteHappy, healthy holidays to you and your family.
xo, Alicia
Yes it can be easy to get sucked into negativity. It tends to feed on itself.
ReplyDeleteOne of my friends said, if we look at other people's trials, we would choose our own if we had the choice. Of course, in the long run, somehow we seem to get through the rough times, God gives grace for the moment. And of course, there is the saying 'Today is the first day of the rest of your life' so, live it to the fullest!
ReplyDeleteI think we all have immediate family members who are out of jobs, have lost their homes,or are waiting for the pay check someone else is struggling to pay them for which they should have been paid a month ago. We can wish everyone 'Peace and Good Cheer' but we also need to help those who it is in our power to help out, if we can. Even if we do without some little luxury for a while,(that extra chocolate candy bar we don't really need) we may feed a hungry mouth with that dollar put into the Salvation Army tin.
Thank you for the timely post.
Teresa in California
Holidays can be very hard as it is a reminder of what isn't instead of what could be. We lost a dear classmate last week to suicide. She was only 60. How heartbreakingly sad for her family & just before the holidays.
ReplyDeleteI will say this life is good we just have to enjoy it......
Happy Holidays !
Marilyn
The holidays can really be a time of trial. My sister had to bury her son on Christmas Eve after he committed suicide. Just a senior in high school. That really made me learn to appreciate every day and rejoice in the love of my Heavenly Father.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy the dust, dirt, and crowds at Q. I love camping on the desert to begin with. And even though I hate, really hate, crowds I don't seem to mind them at Q. Of course, I don't do much shopping so I don't spend a lot of time interacting with the crowds. A must do every year for me.
"Thank you"... Two seemingly small words that can make all the difference in someone's day.
ReplyDeleteHave a great day,
Always, Queenie
We have so many little things to be thankful for. It is easy to focus on the bad, so we need to make a conscious effort to live happy.
ReplyDeleteA timely post during the holiday season. Gratitude and acceptance--those are two powerful spiritual practices. You mentioned Buddhism. I love the Buddhist concept of being grateful for "this precious human life." Thanks for a good reminder for the holidays.
ReplyDeleteDear Jo, This is the exact reason I have chosen to re create The Little Match Girl each year..to remind us all of how very fortunate we are, and to be grateful to God. So many of us take SO much for granted.
ReplyDeleteAmen Jo!!! Nicely written... Although if I don't gripe and groan, what would I do for a hobby? Just kidding :)
ReplyDeleteLove this, Jo! It is absolutely the truth. I posted about the reason for the season ~ all a form of gratitude.
ReplyDeletexo
Pat
Well said Jo. When I'm having one of those days I try to remind myself that I have traded that dayas wasteful and one I could have used in a better way...and ask myself was it worth it. We never get those days back so I try to live with Grace...I certainly pray for it everyday!
ReplyDeleteI agree,
ReplyDeleterather than dwelling on the negative, Let us all strive to share the positive blessings we are gifted on a daily basis.
Sometimes human beings cannot even see what is right in front of their eyes because they are so
filled with negative emotion.
Fill your hearts with love...
love has many faces and blossoms as...
kindness
hope
laughter
compassion
empathy
sweetness
grace
blessings
peace
guidance
imagination
charm
charity
serenity
tenderness
understanding
forgiveness
support
spirit
balance
oneness with all
equality
If the mountain was smooth, we couldn't climb it....
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