It took me many tragedies, 5 years on dialysis, two kidney transplants and a myriad of other seemingly overwhelming and unfair obstacles to be thrown in my path to finally utter the words, “I am so grateful for my problems!”
Why would I say such a thing?
Thinking back to when my children were little, they would come to me and as children often do, talk about the “rich” kids in the neighborhood and how they wished we could be rich. I remember well telling them that “everyone has a story” and that just because things look bright and beautiful on the outside that every person, rich or poor, has a story and problems.
Being children, this was a difficult concept for them to grasp. “How could they have problems? They can do anything they want, go anywhere they want, buy whatever they want, that would make anyone happy!” they exclaimed.
Far too young to be told about the horrors of domestic violence, abuse, addiction and the many other things that are often locked in the darkest closets of the “rich and happy” homes, I merely told them that if people from a neighborhood not nearly as nice as ours were to drive by our home, they might think we were the rich one’s with no problems.
We did have problems. We were financially strapped, my husband was ill and I was soon to go into complete renal failure.
They understood that we couldn’t always go to the movies or dine at even moderately priced restaurants because we just didn’t have the money so they were old enough to understand the concept of having to sacrifice some things so that we could enjoy others.
Now they are grown and they understand that the big houses aren’t all full of happy people who never face any difficulties and that no one gets a free ride. Some get a less bumpy one but not a free one.
For a long time, I was bitter and angry about all of my problems. It seemed as though I got my portion and then some, especially where my health was concerned. It was then, in my darkest time of despair and “why me” self-pity that I realized I should be grateful.
I should be grateful for every single problem I had because so many people are facing far worse things than I could ever imagine. If I were to take all that time I spent being so angry and self-consumed and use it to send love, light and healing energy into the Universe for others to grasp, it might just make them grateful for their problems.
Maybe that is what happened to me. Maybe the thoughtful and loving people out there that were suffering far worse things than I, were doing exactly that, sending out positivity, strength, compassion and love for people like me to grab onto like a lifeline.
Today, that is what I choose to do when I feel overwhelmed by a sudden catastrophe. Instead of turning it inward, I turn it outward. I reach into the vast Universe and soak up all the kindness, compassion and love like a sponge. When my heart is full, I wring it out, fill it back up and send it back out there for the next empty soul to grasp on to.
My life is a lot better now. My burdens are not so heavy nor is my heart. We are all connected, not just physically but spiritually as well. It is a strong and tangible connection, all you need do is reach out and grab onto it!
There is no greater healing power in this world than caring for and helping others in need, sharing love and compassion and truly listening to their story. When we do so, we are laying our burden down so that we may help lift them up.
Helping others, no matter how small the gesture, helps us. It is the never-ending circle of our connection in this miraculous life we are so blessed to have.
Everyone has a story, the question is…are you listening?
Author Bio:
Other than writing about love, life, gratitude and finding the “funny” in much of it, Mary’s passions are her family, friends and her deep roots to Scotland. She embraces the Peter Pan philosophy, “Never gonna grow up, not me”. Life is but a blink of an eye, live it and cherish the fairy dust moments.
LINKS:
- BLOG: https://theheartofsassylassie.wordpress.com
- FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/sassylassie1
- TWITTER: https://twitter.com/Im_Sassy_Lassie
Kindness Blog 
In life, fulness and emptiness live side by side. Sometimed the problems look like excessive, we are living this inevitable mystery. You are right, happy looking households are not always happy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for reading my story and for your comment. We all have a story to tell and we all have ears to listen. Helping others, in turn, helps us, too. It’s true, some things remain a mystery, we can find no “why” or reason – not in this lifetime anyway. We all just do the best we can. Love and light to you. I apologize for not responding earlier, I came back to this today to remind myself how very lucky I am and was blessed and grateful to find your words here.
LikeLike
Sending blessings to you and your family 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
well said, sending you love and light your way !!!
LikeLike
Thanks so much for reading and taking time out to comment. I apologize in the long delay in responding, I came back here tonight to remind myself of all the wonderful things and people I have in my life and was delighted to see some new comments here. One more thing to be gratful for ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
awesome
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great words! Everything that happens to and around us shapes us and makes us the wonderful person we are today. I love that post.
LikeLike
Hi Erika and I couldn’t agree more. Please forgive the delay in my response, I haven’t been back to this post for quite sometime. I came back tonight to remind myself of just what you said. I so appreciate you reading my story and commenting. Love and light to you.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hi, don’t worry at all! I did not necessarily expect a response. I am glad I could just leave my thoughts. But I am even more glad that you like them. Thank you for coming back and replying. Have a wonderful day!
LikeLiked by 1 person
A very powerful post Mary.
Your paragraph referring to when your children were little, reminded me of a situation when my children were little. A neighbours child was at our place pretty well every day, that was not a school day, even all summer. The child was not particularly a top friend of my children, and my children were getting annoyed by this girl being at our house all the time. I kept reminding my children, “just be nice”
The neighbour child had lots of material things, but came from a fractured home, and my wife shared with the girls’ father, we don’t have anything to offer, but the girl was always at our place. His reply, “Yes you do. You have love. You have peace. You have harmony. You have stability”
That statement has carried me for many years, and has reminded me that I am VERY, VERY blessed.
Thank you for sharing Mary. You are indeed a very rich person. I was blessed reading your post. THANK YOU!
~Carl~
LikeLike
Thanks so much “Old Fellow” 🙂 I apologize for the delay in responding. I haven’t revisited this post in some time and came tonight to remind myself of all the things I have to be grateful for. I’m so happy that little girl found love and peace in the presence of your home and with your family. I’m sure it changed her life and that she remembers it and all of you well. I’ll take love over money any day. Thanks so much for taking time to read and comment, yet one more thing I have to be grateful for.
LikeLike
Problem is mostly created by our own desires. Sometime we don;t have to solve it but distinguish our desires,
and that needs the compassion to ourselves. Realize our needs insides before going to solve any problems.
Thank you so much for sharing this. :))
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Jade, for reading and commenting. I apologize for the long delay in repsonding but haven’t revisited this post in a long time. I’m so glad I came back here tonight to remind myself of all the wonderful things I have in my life. We do need to look to ourselves, our spirit, to truly come to understand what we are to be learning from what we are experiencing. Wonderful perspective, thank you.
LikeLike
Thank you…. There is nothing else I can say today. 🙂
B;essings, Susan ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for reading and commenting, I so appreciate it. I apologize for the delay in responding, I haven’t revisited this post for a long time and am so happy I did this evening. Your comment “Thank you” pretty much says it all, doesn’t it? Two very powerful words. ❤
LikeLike
I feel for you
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Joanne. I am so sorry it took me so long to get back to you, I haven’t been back here for a while and am happy I returned tonight to find your comment. Feeling for one another is a powerful force. Your words are very kind.
LikeLike