We hear it all the time that we should be grateful for all we have. When we are struggling with a problem in our life, sometimes it is hard to be able to see the positive in it. That can be due to focusing on the fear, instead. Faith is born of gratitude, fear cannot live in faith. Like attracts like; therefore, when we are in gratitude, we attract more positive energy towards ourselves, and our situations. When we focus on fear, we attract more fear and negativity in our lives.
Now, this doesn’t mean you aren’t going to feel bad about a mishap, or have a crisis. You do have a choice how you react to it, though. Sometimes my on-the-spot reaction can be one of internal; therefore, external intensity, but it truly doesn’t do anything to make the situation better. Many times I have to back myself off until the chemistry of my emotions settle down. It is possible that I may not have full information about a situation, or I had expectations that weren’t met. It has happened that when plans have changed on me, it has been for the better, or the time was opened up for something else to slip in. I trust in God’s Perfect Order, even if I don’t understand it, or I think it is too harsh for my liking. “Bad” things do happen, but even in the worst, it brings empathetic people together. Many times, when a door is closed, a window is opened.
Personally, this year has been a financial challenge. Like others, I have lost work, but being self-employed, there are no benefits for me to fall back on, like unemployment. I have to be creative, and necessity is the mother of invention. I’ve restructured, dropped some types of work, picked up others, and have debted to get done what I felt needed to be done in my changes. For me, a good year is if I can gift my family and friends at Christmas. Well, this year I really wondered if I would be able to do that. I couldn’t really spare using any money that I have alloted for other things to keep my house going. But, I have skills, and I called upon them. One is that I sew. I have lots of material, a machine, and more time on my hands. My family all received blankets from me. Some in patchwork, sunflowers, Strawberry Shortcake, two WWII Army blankets that I covered (to honor the 70 year anniversary of the soldiers who died in the bombing of Pearl Harbor – one lost life because of that bombing was my Naval uncle Donald Kraker). I told my sons that when they are wrapped in their blankets at night, they can give thanks to all those who fought to keep them and our country free. Friends and extended family were given a night of food, drink, music, and firelight. All included my love in doing for them things that would be remembered, and which provided happiness. I Am grateful for having been able to do this. Therefore, no matter the mishaps and uncertainties, I Am having a good year. May the best of 2011 be the worst in 2012. God Bless you all.
Mary E.K. Denison, L.Ac., M.Om, NCCAOM, CCP www.BeautifyNaturally.com www.mitzi.byregion.net
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