Roadblocks or Signposts Along the Journey
The first line of a short hymn from my childhood church is "Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow".
It came to mind this morning upon reflection of the role of blessings in our lives, and the various forms they may take.
Some blessings are appreciated only in hindsight, as pain may be the starting point for a blessing "in disguise.
" This hymn is memorable because at age 5, when passed a very full offering plate,it fell and rolled loudly down the sloping wooden floor to the front of the sanctuary.
I was "saved" further embarrassment by the beginning of this same offertory hymn.
What makes some events blessings, and others "curses"? Is it our response, our perspective, or experience? Have you ever found yourself on "auto-pilot", perhaps in an unfulfilling job or relationship that sapped your energy as you merely went through the motions of living? Sometimes a wake up call is needed to let us know we are missing our own life.
When we are hurt by others, it can be a wake up call as well.
I have learned to re-frame those injuries, separating the pain from the lesson.
Pain is a safety system to protect and alert us to pay attention.
When someone or something is "toxic",we may choose to release it from our life.
Painful events may also awaken us to the need for personal change.
Roadblocks may not stop us completely, but detour us onto a better route, or warn us to stop and consider our next step.
If there is a plan for our life, we may occasionally need some divine redirection along the path of our highest life purpose.
Here is the challenge; to be able to view painful events and people as filling an important role in your life.
Regardless of their intent, it is your choice how to respond and apply the experience to your benefit.
The very act of making this choice allows you the freedom to grow.
Life can tragic, as was the Holocaust, and 9-11.
Yet, stories of survivors and victims alike demonstrate the human capacity to transform tragedy into meaning.
Did a job loss prevent a future heart attack? A painful divorce may motivate a new, rewarding career.
We may not yet have the whole story, and need time for perspective and understanding.
Watch for signposts alerting you something is amiss.
Your emotional radar can detect signals that you are veering off course.
Setbacks may be blessings in disguise.
Transform your losses into blessings by using challenges as a "springboard" to a new awareness and path in your life's journey.
And remember to share the blessings along the way.
It came to mind this morning upon reflection of the role of blessings in our lives, and the various forms they may take.
Some blessings are appreciated only in hindsight, as pain may be the starting point for a blessing "in disguise.
" This hymn is memorable because at age 5, when passed a very full offering plate,it fell and rolled loudly down the sloping wooden floor to the front of the sanctuary.
I was "saved" further embarrassment by the beginning of this same offertory hymn.
What makes some events blessings, and others "curses"? Is it our response, our perspective, or experience? Have you ever found yourself on "auto-pilot", perhaps in an unfulfilling job or relationship that sapped your energy as you merely went through the motions of living? Sometimes a wake up call is needed to let us know we are missing our own life.
When we are hurt by others, it can be a wake up call as well.
I have learned to re-frame those injuries, separating the pain from the lesson.
Pain is a safety system to protect and alert us to pay attention.
When someone or something is "toxic",we may choose to release it from our life.
Painful events may also awaken us to the need for personal change.
Roadblocks may not stop us completely, but detour us onto a better route, or warn us to stop and consider our next step.
If there is a plan for our life, we may occasionally need some divine redirection along the path of our highest life purpose.
Here is the challenge; to be able to view painful events and people as filling an important role in your life.
Regardless of their intent, it is your choice how to respond and apply the experience to your benefit.
The very act of making this choice allows you the freedom to grow.
Life can tragic, as was the Holocaust, and 9-11.
Yet, stories of survivors and victims alike demonstrate the human capacity to transform tragedy into meaning.
Did a job loss prevent a future heart attack? A painful divorce may motivate a new, rewarding career.
We may not yet have the whole story, and need time for perspective and understanding.
Watch for signposts alerting you something is amiss.
Your emotional radar can detect signals that you are veering off course.
Setbacks may be blessings in disguise.
Transform your losses into blessings by using challenges as a "springboard" to a new awareness and path in your life's journey.
And remember to share the blessings along the way.
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