Recently, I posted an article about how much of our life is dictated and changed by seeming setbacks in our lives. Many people are exactly who they are today, making impacts on the lives of others BECAUSE OF some setback in life. Whether it be disease, disability, hardship, etc, they are all instances when someone may not understand it at the moment, but their future will force them to say “At the time I didn’t know. Now I do. I wouldn’t take that terrible experience back for anything in the world. Too much light has come out of my darkness.”
That line was the final line of a book that I recently finished called “Brain on Fire.” I recommend the read! It was quick and completely relatable to struggles in the medical system, health and disease issues, and identity after struggles. I am revisiting the concept because I really do think that people need to keep it in perspective.
It is human nature to ask “Why me?” Instead, ask “Why NOT me?” No one wants to attract tragedy into their life. However, I would encourage you to see set back and tragedy as a gift and opportunity. Struggles force us to examine our lives, our soul, our purpose. I want every opportunity possible to re-examine that. The reason: I learn something new and meaningful about myself EVERY SINGLE TIME. You never know what’s on the other side….keep an open mind. It may be just what you’ve always been looking for.
I grew up without a ton of exposure to the older population, but living in third world countries has changed that. Elders have massive amounts of power in communities because their wisdom is held in the highest esteem. I was the young adult that “knew everything” at one point, too. I have been humbled through life to learn that I really “know nothing.” That has prompted me to seek out the life lessons of those before me, listen to the wisdom of those twice my age, and REALLY embrace it. “You’ll see,” is now part of my vocabulary. I am excited to grow old. That is an oxymoron in our culture but when I think about my soul, it only becomes more beautiful as it matures. I have no doubt that I will die the most breathtaking version of myself because of all the world’s wisdom I acquired along the way.
Expose your eyes, mind, and heart to as much as you can take in…it will fuel the beauty of your soul.