I once had a priest tell me there is Grace in everything.
I actually believe that.
I believe no matter how awful life may seem…there is goodness all around.
Sometimes I think it is easy for human beings to lay down in the muck and just give up.
Maybe its comfortable to stay angry, or point the blame in someone else’s direction. Maybe it just takes less energy.
I have one client that is so angry at the world that he can see nothing but misery. It hurts me to know he actually chooses to remain in the darkness.
Not that its easy to change a lifetime of negative thinking…but it is possible. It requires a desire to look for the good instead of dwell on the negative.
I had a conversation today with a co-worker. She told me about a man that just got out of prison and with her help realized the most important thing he needed to do was to let go of the negative. He has managed to do this and his life is turning around for the better. As she told me this story she gave the credit to God. Though I believe in a God of forgiveness…I also believe God isn’t required for forgiveness.
We can forgive others, love others and let go of the negative thoughts we carry around simply by changing how we think and by refusing to accept the negative as inevitable.
I choose everyday to find the good, see the kindness in others and seek happiness
I hope each of you find a reason to smile today!
Conversations Around the Tree 
Beautiful post 🙂
Thank you Jacqueline 🙂
You are welcome 🙂
It is seductively easy to play the blame game and the truth is some people really have been dealt a crappy hand in life. It’s so easy to become bitter and hard. It takes a powerful heart to remain hopeful and keep looking forward.
Like you, I chose to see beauty and good. However, I also know I’ve received many blessings in life and for that I’m so very grateful.
I don’t understand how some people get dealt such a crappy hand and others do not. It doesn’t seem fair.
I am especially sad when I see kids living on the streets or in a particularly crappy situation.
The hope is they will be exposed to some goodness in their young lives that allows them to realize there are other ways to live.
Unfortunately the cycle of poverty, abuse and addition can only be broken if people know there ARE choices.
I certainly had some challenges growing up…but nothing compared to so many. I too am grateful for the many blessing I have received throughout my life…I am a lucky girl!
I have been learning a lot about blessings and I don’t know that Gods idea of blessings are the same as mine, especially if you read his sermon on the mount. Learning to be grateful for all things – the good, the bad and the ugly- has been one of my hardest lessons.
I understand the challenge. It is difficult to be grateful when everything around you seems to be in the crapper…but I feel better when I do seek (and find) the good.
Yes- I usually do as well. But I mean when I’m right in the middle of the muck, and being grateful for the muck. That the muck is actually the blessing – not by my standards but by God’s. Or maybe the blessing is just that God is there, with me in the muck. Hmmmm…
Hmmmm….maybe so!
It is really hard to feel the presence of God during the worst of the muck. But I do believe God is there during all times. Good and bad.
One of my favorite lessons….A father wouldn’t knock his child over, but he would pick the child up that fell.
I guess to me that is a way of saying God doesn’t create the muck…but helps us through the muck