Live and Learn

Margaret Thatcher once said, "You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it."

How true is this statement!

Growing up, I wanted to do, what I wanted to do, when I wanted to do it. It soon became habitual to hear my parents tell me, "A hard head leads to a soft behind." It didn't ever make sense until much later in life. Why would they continue to tell me this, except for discipline purposes?

Now, at 41, I understand it's more equivalent to, "How long I will continue to do the same thing, expecting different results." We know this to be the definition of insanity.

As an 80s/90s kid, I grew up watching cartoons. Looney Tunes was one of my favorites. We learned the definition of insanity in Wile E. Coyote and his frivolous attempts to catch the Roadrunner. As hilarious as those cartoons were, and are still, they paint a picture of what I was doing in my life, while bringing a comical relief to its seriousness.

Have you ever been so tired?

Tired of the storms and chaos?

I could say I've gone from one storm to another for the last twenty years. But if this is the mindset, what do I need to learn?

Have you ever asked for patience?

Does it ever come and grace you with its presence?

No!

(Although, it would be nice, just once.)

Instead, situations arise, allowing us to learn patience ! If this is the mindset, it still starts and ends with us. Right? 

Negative thoughts breed faster and stay longer than positive ones.

Thoughts lead to attitude.

Attitude leads to perspective.

A positive outlook and mindset can make all the difference!

Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard said, "Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards." This is a favorite quote of mine because it keeps life in perspective. It's the same when counting blessings. Blessings upon blessings for me means that if you look at what is going right, that will be all you see. It will stack up so high that even the "not-so-right" pales in comparison!

We will go through hard times throughout our lifetime. It isn't a matter of whose story is worse; it should be how can we help one another not feel alone when times are at their hardest.

We can do so much together, even if it's being a listening ear.

Live and learn

This phrase was common for my generation to hear from our parents (or older siblings). It is true! Although I don't like going through difficulties, I appreciate the perspective it gives me later. Each day, I pray for the insight needed to learn so I can succeed later.

I leave you with a quote from Walt Disney, "The flower that blooms in adversity is the rarest and most beautiful of all." 

Stay Blessed <3

Shanti Marie