Giving Thanks and acceptance


Many of you know that I have been having a rough time for the past three (to six months depending on who you ask ) months. Life has thrown questions my way and made me question everything.

It wasn't until recently that I began to realize that life is not certain, and it is not fair. We see this everyday in everything around us, someone dies unexpectedly or some executive makes off with millions of hard working peoples money. Last night I went to see Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. Some think its a kids movie, but truth is the series is about believing in yourself and understanding as you move forward, your worst fears will step into your path. Its our jobs to move past those fears and step into who we are destined to become...daily. See life is a journey, not a destination. We continually grow and sometimes way beyond what we ever thought we could possible do. C.S. Lewis, in my humbled opinion, was teaching us to love ourselves and accept who we are at this moment and to have faith that things will work out in the long run.

When I arrived home, I had a christmas package from my friend Chris Zatarain. In the package was 2 1-lb packs of dunkin doughnuts coffee (my favorite), a postcard with a picture of new york and a $50 dollar check. The postcard said, "Keep the faith buddy, you'll see that next year will be better for you and you will be remembering this moment and laughing about it. Good luck and may the new year bring you lots of work." As I read it, tears filled my eyes. You see Chris is a good friend from Mexico and had lots of struggles to get where he is today. He learned English on his own, worked 2 jobs in San Diego to save up to go to Boston, where he felt he was supposed to be and set up shop there before even having a job. Courage and faith are the two things that stand out and for him to send me the gift he did, was amazing and perfectly timed to get to me exactly when it was supposed to, not a minute more.

Just two days ago, another friend from Alabama, called a local restaurant to have lunch and delivered to my house and sent me a message saying "Sorry I couldn't be there to join you and I know this will go to good use" Again, I was brought to tears. I am reminded that we are surrounded by great people every day, its just a matter of if we are able to take our pride away for a minute and see who the angels in our life are, because they are all around us.

I come back to a favorite that a good friend shared with me. Many of you have seen this, maybe some have not. It was written by Max Ehrmann and it is called Desiderata.

Here it is:
"Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly, and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story. Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love - for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labours and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world."

So as you go today, seek out the good in the world, not that which is wrong. Know that the sun still shines on you even in the midst of the clouds and that there are angels that love you. You are exactly where you need to be in your life...appreciate it.

Until next time.

Comments

  1. Chad - As always, another wonderful Blog from you. Thanks for sharing and your message was just what I needed to hear.

    Cate

    ReplyDelete
  2. [...] Giving Thanks and acceptance December 2010 1 comment [...]

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Thanks for submitting your comment. I will review and add it to my blog comments shortly. Thank you so much for reading!

Most Popular Posts

Broken heart and irreplaceable smile

I broke up with caffeine...

Feels like a throat punch to my heart

Screw back up plans

Just a friendly update on me :-)