“Your journey has molded you for the greater good. It was exactly what it needed to be. Don’t think you’ve lost time. It took each and every situation you have encountered to bring you to the now. And now is right on time.” Asha Tyson
I don’t know about you, but for me that is definitely a relief … everything that has happened to me was exactly what it needed to be.
Okay, cool. That works and it is a 100% better way to look at things than I used to.
Because honestly, when crap (or I mean challenges) used to come my way, it was extremely difficult for me to step back, accept what happened and know that there was any kind of a bigger picture.
In fact, it was just the opposite.
When an issue came my way, I would be bothered and upset. I would wonder “why me”? and do just about every other thing that people warn you not to do when things go “wrong“.
Isn’t it just so true though that how we view the challenges that come our way absolutely impacts the way we experience life?
… and the better we view the challenges, the better we are at managing whatever comes our way.
It’s why one person can see losing their job as a failure … and another person can see losing their job as an opportunity to break out of the status quo and do something they really are passionate about.
It’s why one person can really mess up, have things go terribly wrong and decide to quit … and another person can take a look at how they messed up, tell themselves they will never make that mistake again and be encouraged to keep pushing forward.
Even though we get to choose to see the things that happen to us in whatever light we like, we can still sometimes fall into the trap of seeing things from the wrong perspective.
Hey, we’re human. It’s an easy trap to fall into.
We can convince ourselves we are being “realistic” and that things really are as bad as we have framed them.
But, the majority of the time when we frame things negatively, our frames are wrong and we are looking at something that ultimately may be for our highest good … even if we can’t exactly see how.
And, that is why we have to always make sure we are doing our part and working to look at things in the right light.
It doesn’t mean that we have to love all the challenges and issues that come our way. It doesn’t mean that we have to only look at things through “rose colored glasses”.
The reality is that we aren’t going to understand everything and why it has happened. That is something we are not meant to do and is way beyond our job description.
Our job is just to know that every single thing that happens to us is exactly what we needed and to really believe in that truth even when we may dislike what has come our way.
Easier said than done?
Of course. But that really is one of the most important lessons we are supposed to learn and once we master it, the “heaviness” of life melts away.
what should you do?
1. Continually work at seeing things from the right perspective. It is definitely something you get better and better at, but you will have to keep pushing yourself to look at things differently until it becomes a habit.
2. Know that when you can’t explain “why” (and even when you can) there is always a bigger picture. There is always more going on than we may understand and knowing that can really help us step back and see things from a better perspective.
3. Realize it is always our choice to see things in the right light AND it is our job to do so. This is a responsibility that belongs to us. The sooner we understand that the sooner we will realize that this is something we are meant to practice and learn.
Hi Sibyl,
Seeing the big pictures is crucial if we want to lead a successful life. This includes seeing events in a positive way. Once we look for the positive in every situation, then we are on our way for success in life.
Thanks for sharing my friend
So true Dia. I think there is definitely a link to seeing the bigger picture and success. Thanks so much for the comment.
That’s a relief to me, too! “Now is right on time.” I love that. Since I am focusing on being present this month, I would like to use the quote and link back to your blog, if that’s okay with you.
Lately, I’ve been in a bit of a slump, thinking I should have known more, done more, been more, sooner and faster. Watching my daughter be such a great new mom makes me wish I had a few maternal do overs. So your post came at a very excellent time to snap me out of this distorted thinking. Instead, I could tell myself that she is such a great mom at least in some tiny part because I did a few things right! Ha!
Thanks. I needed this.
Hey Galen: I know he is a great mom absolutely because of you:) you can absolutely link to that quote. Please do:) thanks for the comment an for stopping by.
Hi Sibyl,
Having studied the I-Ching (The Book of Changes) for almost 10 years, I have slowly learned to look at the bigger picture. As you well chosen quote by Asha Tyson rightly points out everything happens for a reason. The Universe does not give us crap (which you mean challenges) to torment or torture us. If we are truly living and taking responsibility for our lives, the Universe will guide us along our journey. And part of its guidance involves challenges. The purpose behind these challenges is to help us grow to manage bigger challenges.
In truth, after each challenge, my capacity to handle challenges becomes greater. Not to mention, I take home experience and greater insights into life. Thus, it takes an even greater challenge to give me a challenge in the future.
Now why do we have to keep on facing greater and greater challenges? What is the point? Well one reason is that we have to protect our loved ones. If we lack the capacity at the crucial moments, all those who depend on us will suffer as well. The Universe does not play favourites. All of us will face challenges. What truly matters is our ability to cope. What is at stake is the people around us who will be affected if we succumb to the challenge.
As for what we should do, you have put together 3 excellent points. I just want to add that we must always remember who we are fighting for and why we are living. By remembering our meaning and purpose in life, it helps us to manage challenges better. It gives us a reason to get up when we rather stay down. And that is what makes a true difference, to get up each time we get knocked down.
Thank you for showing us how to live today better than yesterday!
Irving the Vizier
Irving: I love that comment. Thanks so much for sharing your wisdom. I also live your addition as well. You are so right that if you can just focus on the purpose behind it all you will absolutely be motivated to manage through whatever comes your way.
Hi Sibyl,
From Zeenat’s latest post:
Albert Einstein___“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as if everything is.”
http://positiveprovocations.com/2011/10/15/how-to-live-a-phenomenally-miraculous-life/
Yes, consider all the events that have occurred “for a reason”…even if you do not understand many of them. Perhaps you were given the opportunity to *see* and transform into some wonderful “miracle”. A result of *you* being the *positive* bi-product of the “heaviness”.
Sibyl, as you can see by my gravitar, I have ‘transformed’ recently. This is a ‘electromagnetic’ occurance that happens this time of year due to the fact that Halloween is my birthday (true).
Oh yes…the brain I am operating on (functioning) is ” Abby Normal’s”
Darn that Igor!
Happy birthday Rand. Congrats on your transformation;) thanks for the link to Zeenat’s post. You are so right that it really drives the point home that everything happens for a reason.
Hi Sibyl,
Keep the Big Picture in mind is one of my favourite sayings. It is even more relevant when one knows what the ‘Big Picture’ is for them…..there’s where the energy needs to be spent. Thank you as always.
be good to yourself
David
Very true David:) It definitely is life changing to know what the bigger picture is. Thanks so much for dropping by.
Now is right on time. Now there are comforting words. For the longest time I wasted my energy worrying about the opportunities I let slip away rather than focusing on moving forward. Every day is new opportunity and we all need to make the most of it.
Larry: isn’t that just such a great feeling when you realize that? I think it just changes every single experience for you for the better.
Hi sibyl,
What ever is given above is what is happening in my life. I can realize it.
So very true:) thanks so much for the comment and for dropping by.
Very good point. Let’s see things as a new beginning.
That is really what is all about. Thank so much Kim for the comment.
Being optimistic i think is the best option in life and it definitely leads to success-whatever happens to you believe is definitely for the better, there is a light at the tunnel, you never get what you don’t need in life- this is how i view my life now.
Thank you Sibyl for making it more visible.
You are so welcome. Everything you said is just so true. It’s all about getting to the point where we welcome whatever comes our way an learn the lessons we should.