I like to think everything happens for a reason. If it doesn't, at minimum it's a fascinating thought. Life can lead to many sticky situations, but given the proper amount of time, space, and self-reflective hindsight, those seemingly sticky situations can bring about a clarity that wasn’t previously known.
The amount of time and space varies, however.
And if the self-reflective hindsight isn’t equally grounded in reality and joy, the clarity is unlikely to surface.
Photo source: pixabay.com
Today, I've been spending some time feeling appreciative -- for everything. For now. For the possibility of tomorrow. For myself and everyone I know. For good health and good spirits. For the food I can buy. For the warm California weather in February. You name it, I appreciate it.
Isn't that a common reason people and relationships get so worn down and eventually implode...because they feel unappreciated and taken for granted?
A year ago, I would have been spending my Sunday tuning in to all the negativity surrounding me. I would have been dreading going to work the next day and thinking about all the little roadblocks I deal with on a daily basis. It's amazing how many roadblocks you can find when you seek them out. What's more amazing is how few you actually run into when you keep you head and heart in the right place. Most roadblocks live in our heads; it's the innocent moments of teaching that line up with our expectations of roadblocks that roam the world, but we are so quick to blame the innocent.
Is it trash or is it a message in a bottle?
Photo source: pixabay.com
Today, I don't receive that negative frequency for any longer than perhaps a few seconds before I shake it off. It's not because things around me have really changed all that much. It's because I have changed my attitude and reaction to those things. I'm not perfect and do fall into the darkness at times, but I'm getting really good at jumping out of it quickly and learning to appreciate the contrast and lessons of those dark moments.
After all, it is said we don't know happiness unless we have experienced sadness, and that can be very true indeed. I think we need quick trips in the wrong direction so we know where the right path is and why we chose that path.
Sometimes, those short treks down a path of challenges make us realize a new path we hadn't considered before. And how could that be bad?
Photo source: pixabay.com
Journal of California Sunshine
It is always interesting to be human is to suffer so we have a reference point for happiness. We go out of our ways making more trouble for ourselves then needed. Always wanting just a little more of a reason in our own existence.
I guess that is why we don’t take short cuts when doing down a path. We walk it as long as we can till we have to carve a path out ourselves.
Things get rather boning without struggle at least for me. It is such an undesirable attraction but I lust for it. Like an ant to sugar.
I'm always fascinated by the thoughts of a time traveling cat. :)
Things could get boring without something to liven them up, but struggle isn't the only thing to counter boredom and I'm not so sure I lust for struggle anymore. Maybe I'm just getting old. I've been such a depressed grumpyhead most of my life that I find my recent adoption of playfulness, lightheartedness and flow to be just what I need.
Time brings a lot of wisdom. You have a library of experiences to draw from that came at a cost to fill the bookshelf. Now you just have to use the library pass and enjoy!
I, however, am still a fool on my best days. Playing the role of Tantalus it seems. I’ll grow tired of it one day I just hope not today. I have very far to travel and only so much time to get there. I see the clock wind down as I in desperate hopes try and rewind the darn thing in time! A vicious cycle certainty. It is the only way I trust.
I < heart > this article =)
Closest thing I got to a title is, "Appreciating the Grist in Your Mill." Lame.
"Today, I've been spending some time feeling appreciative ... For the food I can buy. For the warm California weather in February. " I'll take credit for this line item!
You might have thought your title suggestion was lame, but I found it to be rather philosophical and fitting. Is this English Proverb you had in mind?
Yes, it was a play off this saying.
That title is sort of growing on me.
Your snowy picture definitely helped, yes.
Expecting Roadblocks: How Tumbles in Life make Sense... that all I got. I enjoyed the writing and the message.
Thanks for reading :)
This is really nice.... Keep it up
what is nice about it?
Everything
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