This is another story about practicing. Practicing is every bit as important as epiphany. Remember, when you practice you don’t just get better, but the effort becomes easy.
I went to the soccer game with my sister last Saturday. As we were sitting in my two season tickets seats, a very brash woman with two children walked up and told us to move over because we’re in their seats. It was a little shocking the way she approached it. I proceeded to explain that these are season ticket seats and showed her my tickets. She continued to explain that these were her seats and she comes to the games often too. She finally looked at her tickets and realized she was incorrect. She apologized and then proceeded to apologize a few more times throughout the game because she was embarrassed for her attitude. Possibly, it was the alcohol that made her continue to apologize. The best part of this was my sister kindly and lovingly corrected, called out and redirected her. It was beautiful how with love she approached the situation even though the words she had to say were difficult. She told her that she did not appreciate her attitude or the way that she spoke to us. I was very proud of Jackie because in the past this would have been a difficult thing for her to do, but because of all her practice and Wisdom that she has gained over the years it was easier. She knew how to approach someone with love even though the words may be difficult for someone else. The saddest part was I was embarrassed and felt sorry for this brash woman because I could see the pain, anger and sadness in her life based on this interaction. Even more alarming was that she had two young boys probably 8 and 10 years old with her. I thought about what they live with on the daily. The brash woman proceeded to get drunk slurring her words as the game went on. Beyond drinking a few too many alcoholic beverages, she was yelling obscenities at the referee and the other team. The negativity was overwhelming. In her defense, I have 3rd row tickets behind the bench and all the superfans sitting there yell negative things at the ref and opposing team.
An interesting thing happened however, the couple behind me tapped me on the shoulder during halftime to tell me how amazing it was how we handled this situation. I told her that my sister has done a lot of spiritual work and is able to be in a negative situation without accepting that negativity. My sister was a model for others whether it was the dumb lady or the sweet couple behind us.
I know that we are all in the place we are in for specific reasons as I am a believer that all situations are perfect at all times for us to learn what we are supposed to learn in this lifetime. I believe that we choose these roles that we are in for this lifetime prior to coming to this body. Those children’s destiny is to be growing up with a difficult mother. I had the exact same thing. As I was angry for well over 40 years about my lack of love and family, that is what was necessary for me to break down and be reborn. It was necessary for me to be in a very difficult childhood because that is exactly what was necessary to accomplish and achieve my purpose here in life. I needed all the damage to bring me to death so I can be reborn as an awakened child of God. I accept all things as perfect in front of me even though seemingly they seem imperfect. This is of course difficult to understand in the moment of adversity. This world is a blessing and even the obstacles and perceived problems we face in this life are gifts because we can grow from those obstacles and hard situations.
Are you in hardship or distress? Have you had similar situations recently? Have you seen that it was a blessing weeks, months or years later? Is this something you can share? Let’s create a community of trust and vulnerability and grow together as you are my brother and sister just like my incredible, wonderful sister I love dearly.
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