Counting One's Blessings When Faced With Adversity
At this time of year, we are told to be extra vigilant about counting our blessings, being thankful.
For me, as for many, one can learn to take something that seemed to be a given for granted, and forget, or eliminate our duty to be thankful for all blessings that we are given each and every day, even when faced with adversity or a painful situation. After all, this is that special time of year when we are to give thanks, and pay attention to our blessings.
Personally, although the year got off to a rocky start, I have had a very good year, and am thankful for each and every good day that G-d has allowed me to have, taking nothing for granted, and trying to be thankful for the most basic of all things, including a moment of good health, a quiet heart and a peaceful mind.
Going to Israel this year was a great gift, one which will not ever be forgotten, and it ranks as one of the most amazing and life-changing trips of all time. Seeing our daughter graduate college, another great gift, one that took tenacity and perserverance in spite of on-going health issues. Seeing our son have a job he loves has also been a marvel, having a wonderful husband, a job I love, even more for which I am thankful. Moreover, I am truly blessed with some amazing friends, men and women who are there, present and available no matter what happens.
For today, this moment, it seems as if life is in session once again, and our daughter's health is not at its best, which of course causes pain and worry beyond words and measures. That being said, blogging will be kept to a minimum for the time being, as it is necessary to re-channel my time and emotions for the moment into other pressing issues.
A Thanksgiving message for all is to truly appreciate what you have in life, taking nothing for granted, as it can change in an instant, so quickly before one's very eyes, altering everything, everyone and any thing, including us.
May your Thanksgiving be a time of happiness, light, strength, peace and tranquility.
Thank you for your minds.
For me, as for many, one can learn to take something that seemed to be a given for granted, and forget, or eliminate our duty to be thankful for all blessings that we are given each and every day, even when faced with adversity or a painful situation. After all, this is that special time of year when we are to give thanks, and pay attention to our blessings.
Personally, although the year got off to a rocky start, I have had a very good year, and am thankful for each and every good day that G-d has allowed me to have, taking nothing for granted, and trying to be thankful for the most basic of all things, including a moment of good health, a quiet heart and a peaceful mind.
Going to Israel this year was a great gift, one which will not ever be forgotten, and it ranks as one of the most amazing and life-changing trips of all time. Seeing our daughter graduate college, another great gift, one that took tenacity and perserverance in spite of on-going health issues. Seeing our son have a job he loves has also been a marvel, having a wonderful husband, a job I love, even more for which I am thankful. Moreover, I am truly blessed with some amazing friends, men and women who are there, present and available no matter what happens.
For today, this moment, it seems as if life is in session once again, and our daughter's health is not at its best, which of course causes pain and worry beyond words and measures. That being said, blogging will be kept to a minimum for the time being, as it is necessary to re-channel my time and emotions for the moment into other pressing issues.
A Thanksgiving message for all is to truly appreciate what you have in life, taking nothing for granted, as it can change in an instant, so quickly before one's very eyes, altering everything, everyone and any thing, including us.
May your Thanksgiving be a time of happiness, light, strength, peace and tranquility.
Thank you for your minds.
29 Comments:
Same to you, Barbara. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Happy Thanksgiving, Sweetheart...
While I am sorry that your daughter is not well, I will heed your words and be thankful with you for her life, and all the many other good things that life offers us.
Wonderful post! Have a lovely Thanksgiving. And may we all be blessed.
WW
Thank you for your kind words and thoughts.
Today is a difficult day. To get out of the self and the difficulties, I have been busy sending letters to the local newspapers demanding that Iran stop developing nuclear weapons. At least for me, when I do something that has nothing to do with what is disturbing to me, I find a monicum of peace.
There are some posts in which I know that, after having read them the first time, I will have to set aside some time to re-read and write a comment. And I have learned through experience that doing so in Blogger’s comment window is just plain silly. This post, Barbara, has me turning to the power that only Microsoft Word can provide. Interestingly enough, my comment isn’t even in response to one of your legendary thought provoking questions.
As you no doubt know by now, I have overcome significantly large obstacles in my life – and I am grateful for each and every one of them. However, I never was in the moment. Wishing I were dead was, at times, a very real place for me. I saw no future and no light up ahead, only darkness. It seemed that I could do no right and that everything I touched would turn to mud eventually. I had no hope.
It is the hope I have today that I am perhaps most thankful for. Yes, I am thankful for so very much more, indeed, some of the very things you so eloquently enumerated, but none of that was possible without hope. Furthermore, although much of that time that hope is, in fact, faith – it is not so all of the time. It is comforting as well as empowering to know that no matter what happens, my hope remains intact.
You said, “For today, this moment, it seems as if life is in session once again.” I know that feeling all too well. Life has repeatedly shown up and lifed all over me. It is in these moments that my hope is tested. I think back to those darkest days not so long ago and envision how things might have turned out differently. Not necessarily better or worse, just different. I try to envision where the gratitude would be if I had come out of the hospital paralyzed… or not at all.
Is it possible that in all the various and sundry possibilities, a plan exists to each one? Could it be that no matter what path life takes us down, there is purpose to that path… that gratitude exists in the journey and not the destination? Perhaps the ultimate gift – the hope that does spring eternal, is now, right now. In other words, does hope only exist given the possibility that certain outcomes also do?
I don’t know what the answer is, maybe there is none. I do know that as long as I remember to give credit where credit is due and ask for guidance and strength… whatever happens will be ok. It always is.
Hi Barbara, I'm glad you are blessed with so many good things, and sad for you about your daughters continuing illness. Chronic illness and being a caretaker are so hard to live with day in and day out. Worrying about and seeing the one you love suffer is so hard. But you are strong and you can also keep perspective by focusing on the positive. I gain strength by reading this post. Thank you. :-) Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. :-) -Kate
It's the only way to remain sane in this day and age, by appreciating what we have and not all that we would like to have.
Truly kind, empowering and wise words from everyone, and I thank you.
These are difficult days indeed.
Mike, thank you for sharing these personal reflections with us. I too am very happy to see that you have conquered demons, to emerge, today in gratitude.
One think I know is certain: today is a new day, in about a half hour the sun will come out, and the day will begin anew once again.
I'll try and keep everyone posted, when I am able to do so.
Wishing you all the very best.
Another comment:
It truly appeciate all the comments, and they have a very good effect for me and for others. Because of time limitations in posting, reading, and being here, I am disabling the comment moderation feature for now.
Thank you again.
And a happy Thanksgiving to you, Barbara! I'm so sorry that your daughter's health continues to be poor. You're in my thoughts and prayers.
Barbara........
I send you warm wishes and big Canadian hugs.........take good care, and know there are many who will be thinking your beautiful daughter.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Dana
Happy Thanksgiving, Barbara.
Amen!!!!
may your daughter have aspeedy recovery!
I had notrealized just how much I have missed your posts. You give wisdom when it is needed, and this kind of wisdom is ALWAYS needed.
Right now I am very thankful I was able to help my mom redecorating her bedroom, it was sorely needed, and after she was diagnosed with rhumatism, painting ceiling and walls are not for her.
I'm still thinking of you and your daughter, and hope things are well.
A Thanksgiving message for all is to truly appreciate what you have in life, taking nothing for granted, as it can change in an instant
Thank you for the important reminder.
Life, in itself, is the greatest blessing. How lucky we all are.
Hope your holiday is wonderful.
So sorry that your daughter is having trouble- but there is at least this time that you have with her that is a blessing. I hope that you can enjoy all the goodness that you have without too much worry.
Thank you again for your kind words.
It is important to count one's blessings, each day, to appreciate what we have, rather than having to undergo loss.
happy holiday! There are plenty of things to be upset with in the world, but you are so right that we need to take time to focus on what we have not what we dont! cheers!
We all have much to be thankful for. Hope your Thanksgiving was filled with good food, love and friends and family.
Here is to a refuah shleimah for your daughter.
Hope you had a wonderful holiday, and found some peace, and joy.
Sorry to hear about your daugher. I hope she recovers quickly.
From the bottom of my heart, I really appreciate all your kind thoughts and good wishes.
Thank you so very much.
just found your spot - and like it a lot, especially your last two posts (but your comments aren't on so i had to come on down over here)
pain and suffering and community...and yes, forgiveness.
important stuff.
Greetings Barbara.. I have been treading the catacombs of the earth attending to spiritual things. This response is too the post that you have about being bitter. Bitterness ultimately leads to anger then resentment and rash of other negative emotions. It is best to deal with the source of the bitterness and overcome it before it manifest into an ugly heated mess. I am speaking from expereince. Somone once told me that you can't control the actions of others you can only control yourself. I have learned through time to just accept the things i cannot change. What good does it do a soul to ponder on things beyound its control.. I empathize with where you are in your personal universe. Know that even bitterness grows into the sweetest of things through learning.
Peace Soullove and Blessings.
SoulSista
Thank you both jen and soulsista for your kind words for the day. I truly appreciate them....
I am so sorry to learn that your daughter is ill again. I am keeping her in my thoughts and prayers.
Dear Barbara,
My heart goes out to you and your family. Words cannot express my wish for a resolution to this difficult situation with your daughters' illness. She is lucky to have such a mother as you, and I know that she knows this fact. Be good to yourself during this difficult time. Do something FOR YOU!! Take Care OF YOURSELF, so that you will have the strenght, insight, and ability to do so for your daughter when she allows you to help her again.
I am SENDING YOU an Extra Helping of ENERGY!! FOR YOU! Remember: It may not seem so, but All is Right with the Universe as it is NOW.
Your writing is a blessing to many, pour yourself out into it if that is all you have at the moment.
Take a breather for YOU.
May you have a LIGHT shine on this darkness that consumes, BE LOVE.
and know you are LOVED,
Sincerely
Scott
I am truly sorry to hear of your daughter's illness.
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