To ask the question of people as to whether or not they have ever experienced setbacks in their lives would be ludicrous. We all have! Life would not be complete without them. We all know the story of the “Little Engine that Could” or the image of the caveman rolling the wheel up the hill. Nothing comes easy. Six weeks ago, I encountered a setback. It was minor compared to those who unexpectedly suffer through things that completely alter their lives. It certainly didn’t compare to other moments in my life that have crippled my spirit! Deaths of loved ones, illness, fractured relationships and so much more can bring life to a halt. However, any event that comes without warning and is out of your control can hit you like a stun gun and immobilize you TEMPORARILY. It can stop you from creating anew, opening new doors of opportunity and deplete your energy. It can prevent you from taking new steps for fear of rejection or mistrust. As I sat staring into space and wondered why setbacks occur, I was overcome with the warming sensation that these unwelcomed moments challenge us in ways that we don’t always understand. It is amazing how the human spirit can be stirred with resolve and new directions can begin to emerge. One of the things that assist us in this journey is appreciation for what we already have! Gratitude for the blessings in our lives. We cannot let one event darken our entire existence no matter how sad, how hurtful, how painful! Will we be occasionally angry? Yes! Will we feel resentment towards others? Yes! Will we fall into moments of funk and wallow in the “why me?” syndrome? Absolutely! Let those emotions in and know them, feel them. Feel them as strongly as one does with a happy moment when the world is balanced and strong! But, when one soon starts to feel the tugging negativity of those emotions, the damaging effects and the attempt by them to pull us away from the goodness within and the goodness around us, we must recognize that it is time to move towards “life giving” changes and embrace them with full passion. Easy to do? No, but make the attempt to do it. It is surprising how resilient one can be. It not only changes oneself but it becomes a model for others who are struggling as well. Call it rising up. Call it personal resurrection! Call it a recognition that life is meant to be lived. As Nike’s motto says, “Just do it!” Open that waiting door!
James (Jim) Dunn
Blessėd Blending
July 30th, 2016