That the majority American of holidays has arrived. And, although
the retailers would have us imagine that vacation is Christmas, it’s truly
Thanksgiving.
In lots of properties all through the nation, the day might be
celebrated within the grand custom of feasting, soccer and household feuds! Others
will pause to mirror on the blessings they take pleasure in, for although this nation
is damaged in some ways, it’s nonetheless uniquely blessed, particularly materially.
Maybe you’re discovering it troublesome to be grateful this
yr, both due to the deep divisions and seemingly insurmountable
issues which encompass us, or due to private or household issues.
On the threat of sounding a bit unhinged, I’d wish to counsel
that you just give thanks for these very issues. A life devoid of issues sounds,
at first blush, preferrred. Nonetheless, a life with out challenges can also be one with out
alternatives for development, for change, and for turning into your true self. Simply
like a well-written novel, a well-lived life must have issues and
issues overcome.
When you’re sufficiently old, you may look again over your life and
mirror on probably the most significant occasions. Virtually actually, these occasions would be the
ones throughout which you struggled and finally overcame an issue. Maybe it
was within the early years of your marriage if you had been financially struggling
and frightened about offering for your loved ones. However as you and your accomplice labored
collectively to higher your financial place, you felt empowered since you had been
working collectively for an unselfish function. And it’s exhausting to beat that feeling
of accomplishment if you persevered and overcame your downside.
Or maybe you may look again at a time if you overcame a
private downside similar to an sickness or a failed relationship. Any of those
issues can break you, however they will additionally “make” you. The distinction typically
depends upon your angle and your willingness to see issues as alternatives.
“My calamity is My windfall,” says Baha’u’llah, “outwardly
it’s fireplace and vengeance, however inwardly it’s mild and mercy. Hasten thereunto
that thou mayest develop into an everlasting mild and an immortal spirit. That is My
command unto thee, do thou observe it.”
At one other place in Baha’i Scripture, we discover the next,
“The thoughts and spirit of man advance when he’s tried by struggling. The extra the
floor is plowed, the higher the seed will develop, the higher the harvest might be
. . .”
The “harvests” of going through and overcoming our private
“calamities” are many. Amongst them are each religious and mental development
and the event of knowledge, endurance and empathy.
As we speak, when counting your blessings, don’t overlook to rely
your issues amongst them!
Nancy Flood-Golembeck is a retired trainer and longtime
member of the Baha’i Religion. Along with serving on the native Baha’i
governing physique, she is presently writing a memoir.
