Personal Growth from Extreme Misfortunes

There are two sides to gloom and doom.

I have had a broken elbow since December 2009; gimpy left arm. It makes me clumsy where I was not. But, it also makes me graceful. I am afraid to knock it around and make it worse. So, I am more graceful, entirely. Fear motivates.

You can find two sides (at least) in your problems. Pause and ruminate. Dig. Begin with the, “It could have been worse” scenarios. Find the benefit to you. It’s in there somewhere.

You can’t alter extreme loss, but can choose to be positive. Your outlook will react on the rest of you, your world. You likely will brighten your attitude; and others’ around you.

Give it your best to transform your misfortunes into an insightful, spiritual journey. Use your misfortunes for your own personal growth.

Take time to appreciate the smalls. When asked why she did something a particular way, my friend, Patricia, in Provence, replied simply, “Because it gives me pleasure.” What gives you pleasure? Don’t take happiness for granted.

I am relating all of this to the book I am shamelessly mentioning here. “Misadventures of a New Orleans Girl” is all about getting around, through and over the bumps and mountains that confront you, knock you upside your head until you think you are going to pop.