MUSINGS: TROUBLES' SIDETRACKS

"Sanity doesn’t suffer, ever. A clear mind is beautiful and sees only its own reflection. It bows in humility to itself; it falls at its own feet. It doesn’t add anything or subtract anything; it simply knows the difference between what’s real and what’s not. And because of this, danger isn’t a possibility. A lover of what is looks forward to everything: life, death, disease, loss…anything the mind might be tempted to call 'bad.'Life will bring us everything we need, to show us what we haven’t undone yet. Nothing outside ourselves can make us suffer. Except for our unquestioned thoughts, every place is paradise. "

~Byron Katie


Lately, I have been struggling with some personal issues and today I stopped, looked around, took a deep breath and realized that I need peace.  Peace that doesn't come from money, possessions, job security, fancy environments, or anything that can be bought.  My peace comes from way deep inside.  It comes from the act of letting go of the struggles of everyday.  Magically making life easier for me and for those whom I love can't happen, so that has to be okay.  Employment opportunities aren't controlled by any force I posses, so they are out of my hands.  Health concerns are addressed and yet the outcomes are not determined by me.

Breathing, relaxing and accepting have helped me in realizing that what is important is the fact that I am blessed to have people whom I love and love me back.  Struggling in this world has taken too much energy and I have to approach this journey with more confidence, serenity and faith.

I realize that the bumps, detours and uphill climbs will still try to sway me from my goal of peace, but I am counting on the "GPS" of faith, friends and family to guide me and keep me on my path.

WHAT'S IMPORTANT: Life can change your mind

This week my family has had to deal with some serious information concerning some friends who are closer in our hearts than our birth relatives. These friends are in a fierce battle against a vicious killer. Chemo and radiation have tried their hardest to eliminate the out of control mutant cells. Our friend has been in this battle for over four years and throughout this time there have been encouraging news and just as many set-backs. Now, the latest reports have come in and the medical treatment is so difficult and painful with no guarantee of positive outcomes. We stand ready to aid in whatever small way that could be needed by either of our friends. They promise to let us know if there comes anything that could we could do to ease their difficult time. Prayers are said and we hug each other while we wait out this storm.

You might wonder why I posted this picture of my sweet little joy, on a blog about a friend's struggle for her life. The answer is simple. Our friends' journey has made us appreciate all of life's joys and diminish life's daily struggles.

Not enough money and too many bills? Oh, well, it'll work out.
Not enough support at work and more conflicts daily? Oh, well, it'll work out.
Roof leaks and needs to be replaced and not enough available funds? Oh, well, it'll work out.

We kiss the baby's sweet feet and realize that this day, this moment is a most precious gift and monetary concerns are not as important as this day with the people we love so very much. I truly am not Pollyanna and I am not playing "The Glad Game" here. I have just been given the gift of clarity of what is important to me and mine. Our family is well and therefore every hurdle we encounter can be managed, some how, some way.