Gifts Not Gaps

Pain and loss are part of our lives, sometimes personally and other times experienced by our loved ones and thus affecting us.

What are we to do with pain?  How do we healthfully process it and accept it and continue living happily ever?

Pain creates a glaring gap that’s hard to ignore. It creates a hole in our lives and stops us and sometimes even changes the trajectory of our journey. It creates a gap between our dreams and our reality that is not in our control.

Sometimes we get stuck and can only see and feel the pain and fall into the gap. How do we get out?

I think the secret to moving on and processing the pain and moving forward is spending more time focusing on our gifts instead of what is lacking. It’s a practice of gratitude for all that is still good, despite the despair.  The pain doesn’t just dissipate because we’re thinking happy thoughts, but we get to choose where to focus our energy and to adapt to our circumstances.

If we choose to focus on the gap, then that is where we will stay and that is what we will experience the most. If we choose to focus on what is good and working in our lives, potentially, eventually, we will close the gap and be able to move forward despite what’s missing and causing grief. Perhaps the gap will slowly diminish to the point that it doesn’t draw us in and define us.

I think we want to define ourselves by the goodness in our lives and the potential that lies in front of us everyday, despite our sufferings. We understand that pain and suffering exist for whatever reasons, however we don’t want to live in this space for very long. We have to keep choosing to see the good, despite the gap, and moving forward.

I think this is where the mind is very powerful and can help to transform us and help us to live happily ever after, even after experiencing pain and loss, if we are able to choose to allow ourselves this gift of life and all that is good, that is available to us despite the pain, right now.

See the good in you and others and really focus on what is good in our life, and acknowledge the gaps, but don’t dwell there. Perhaps the gap will eventually diminish and become part of our past as it shapes our future, so that we can live fully in the present.

Wishing you peace and love, BeLoveRs, focused on gifts, not gaps.

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The Love that Binds

So many things can and do go wrong.

Things happen every day that we don’t expect, that we don’t desire and that we wish just didn’t.

We don’t get to choose or control all of the events that happen to us and for us.

When we are still and can accept what happens, we are usually surrounded by love and light that comfort us, when we are open to receive it. This is the amazing side of life that feels like a miracle and is awe-inspiring.

Such is the case for us right now as we sit and wait for Juliana’s eye to heal.  I know this isn’t the end of the world, but it has stopped us from carrying on as usual. She is suffering and I am waiting by her side, supporting her and providing around the clock care, as we wait for healing and to know the results from her injury.

We did not wish for nor plan for this to happen. Accidents happen.  Life happens and it’s up to us how we adapt and respond.

There is good in everything. We just have to see through and past the pain to see and feel the good.

So many people love us and support us through kind words, gifts, visits, phone calls, food and prayer. Thank you friends and family.

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We are so thankful for the loving concern shared with our family.

It’s love that binds and connects us to each other and helps us endure pain and suffering.

I know our story is not the only story like this, and that ours is so small, yet it is still our pain. I am not complaining. It just is.

Love permeates the world and I see how love shines in times of trouble.

I’m watching the love from Australians supporting Muslims through the simple connection of offering to ride the tram together. #illridewithyou as the deadly siege occurred yesterday.

I’m watching the support and love flow for the tragedy in Pakistan. #prayforPeshawar #peshawarattack

“Smallest coffins are the heaviest!! May the innocent souls RIP.” #PrayForPeshawar

We remember the tragedy in Sandy Hook two years ago this week #SandyHook.

And I’ve watched the love and support flow in after my cousin’s tragic death.

Love is an amazing force.

Humanity has no borders.

Spread love, BeLoveRs. Keep shining your light. You make a difference.

xo