Life is a package. It comes with ups and downs, happiness and sadness. It is a perfect mix of situations that allows you to develop your muscles of resilience. What is important is to not get carried away by the joys of life or get drowned by the sorrows of life. The perfect antidote to bad times is to be able to accept what you experience, deliberate on the events and do your best while enjoying the things that bring you happiness.
Lately I have had to take breaks from writing due to an elbow problem, I seem to have developed a tennis elbow, perhaps just by watching too much of the Australian open I guess hehe. I don't seem to have any other reason lol for such a problem. Nonetheless, at one point I was annoyed that I seem to be going through one thing after another - first a heart issue, then a slipped disc, now an elbow problem and sleepless nights. All this had me wondering if this streak of of pain would end at all.
I did indulge myself in some self-pity for a couple of days, but good sense and reason prevailed. I asked myself if I ever questioned the unending happiness that life has brought me all these years. The answer is obvious. Why is it we suddenly become aware of how unfair life is only when we go through tough times. The good times sail smoothly, I guess way too smoothly for us to realize how time flies or how blessed we are.
I decided I'll count my blessings and be grateful for all these years of happiness, good health and joy that surrounded me all these years, let me correct myself here, I should say the happiness that still surrounds me. Last week the boys were home and spent so much time with me and it was the happiest time of my life. I cooked the best dishes that could for every meal and the boys loved it. Perfect joy was what I experienced.
As I lie sleepless and in pain at nights I never for a moment worry about anything. I focus on all the lovely things life has to offer me and times passes by without making me feel distressed.
It's all in the mind, I ask myself what do I have to fear. 'Nothing' is the answer I always get. Yes, I have nothing to fear, I have lived a beautiful life, done the best I could for my family and myself, I am at peace and what more do I want. Health may have been a casualty in the process but who cares, I have done my best and run the race as best as I could.
It is important for me to keep my peace. I just need to be careful that I don't cause others pain and don't let others cause me pain. If someone insists on making my life miserable by their behavior I have the right to walk away and refuse to be bullied. I have the right to choose my happiness and keep my mind in perfect peace and happiness.
Thank goodness our peace and joy are within our control. As long as we don't handover the keys to others to mistreat us we are in charge. As long as our conscience doesn't accuse us of unfairness to others we are at peace. The choice is always ours.
Nature is the perfect buffer when we need one. I always choose to think of the beautiful sights and sounds that surround me. A little birdie, a pretty flower, a beautiful beast, a meadow full of sunshine and pleasant flowers, life is full of blessings.
Life is an opportunity to bring happiness to others. It is an chance to make it meaningful to self and others. Life is to be enjoyed, no matter what the circumstances are. Just accept each day as it comes and give it the best you have and you've done all you can for yourself and others.
We just need to keep moving to keep our balance.Move on; don't get stuck in your happiness or your sadness. These are just a part of life. Don't permit what you don't want to occupy your mind, this is my mantra for peace.
If you suffer from something or due to something remember the bright side of the suffering. If there is no reason to suffer don't permit it to occupy your mind.
Khalili Gibran my favorite poet would put it -
Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls, the most massive characters are seared with scars.
Wear your scars like trophies, be proud of them and don't let those who have no clue about what you've been through make a mockery of them. It's their ignorance but its your experience. Life is not just a collection of experiences, it is how you perceive, handle these experience and master them as you move through them.
Life comes to an end, death is the common factor for everyone. Nonetheless the experience of death is not the same for all! Be a victor even in death!
All images used in this post are photographs taken by me.