There was the time I was fired from what I thought I’d be doing perhaps forever. I was managing a small local holistic pet supply store and really loved it. The owners, however, were involved in a cult, led by a person who calls himself a life coach. I, too, saw that “coach” for a little while, but ended ties when I felt him trying to control my life. I never spoke of that to them because they loved him so much. Two days before a dream trip to Costa Rica (4 months after having ended a toxic marriage), they fired me. First they thanked me for helping build their business (I’d been there 8 years), but then said we were on different paths and that if I would consider going back to Keith, I might be able to save my job. I laugh at that now. I trusted the process. If they wouldn’t have fired me, I may never have met my soulmate who I married a year and a half ago since we met at work where I’ve been 4 years now. I’m incredibly grateful for that.
I’m also grateful for the letter of apology and rekindled friendship with the main owner, who told me that they were influenced by Keith and that she and her husband had to leave the state to get away from him. Even better is that I’ve had people I know who were followers of his who’ve come to me to tell me they got out (easy to find me at a grocery store). Some of them hadn’t talked to their families in 14 years, some longer, but they had cut everyone out who wasn’t a “student” of Keith’s. They got their lives back! What a great blessing. And I heard Keith is leaving the area because all of his people found out the truth. Another blessing, although I hope wherever he goes he does not cause as much harm as he did here over the past twenty years.
Six years ago, I had an experience that felt like a breakdown. (I can elaborate elsewhere, for those who are curious.) I have spent most of the time since then feeling an underlying dread that robbed me of so much joy. Some tough things happened to me in that time—I lost my job, my father was diagnosed with cancer —but many wonderful things have happened since then too. More importantly, a LOT of things happened, many that I didn’t expect. Even though that time felt like the end of the world, it was not, and I am so much stronger when I am able to be present and connected.
I had cancer years ago. Diagnosed at stage 4, when I was at the height of my becoming. It seemed so cruel, a slap in the face to all my spiritual practices and inner work up to that point. During treatment, those spiritual practices were what gave me life and hope. I felt closer to God during treatment than I ever had before. There is something about possible death that lifts the veil just a smidge between this life and the next. I’m grateful for the felt presence of God during those difficulties. I’m grateful for no longer being so quick to speak or write platitudes to others when they suffer. I have deepened my own soul’s journey because of this challenge.
One of my brothers died by drowning about 6 years ago. After his death I made sure to stay closely connected to my sister-in-law so she knew she was still part of our family. I would rather have my brother back in a heartbeat!! But the result of this has been to become so much closer to my sister-in-law and she’s truly my sister now. She has said the same thing, that when they were a couple we always interacted mediated by the couple and not the two of us as women together. We’re closer friends now than we were for the 25 years they were married.
Grateful Monday everyone. I’m in a difficult situation. My stepdaughter is having the karmic experience of being a severely mentally ill trauma survivor. Her illnesses and experience cause her to engage in risky behavior which cause significant harm to herself and others. The last two years have been a journey. The path is my access to version of myself that cannot only “handle” this– she can “hold” this situation in my heart. My husband, her Aunt and I came together in an intervention yesterday that gives us hope. I’m grateful for hope. I’m also grateful for the love of my partner and our extended family. Lastly, I’m grateful to have my path as a constant in a world of Impermanence. I know everything is impermanent; but, I felt so much more connected to what was above the “craziness” because of this and my other practice.
Starting from the time of our births, all great things arise through difficulty – the idea of difficulty equating with misfortune is simply a modern myth. Indeed we need others to assist us when going through difficulty, but not supporting us to get out or away, but to get through.
My friend Anne has need a lot of support in and out of the hospital from recent serious heart issues. Although it is hard for me to be gone so much, I am grateful that I have been able to help her.
My difficult situation has been drinking alcohol abusively. It did not start out that way but has always ended up that way. After 17 years of sobriety I gave my self permission to drink again. Then ensued a 13 year period of sobriety and relapse along a couple of DUI’s and the associated jail time and court ordered sobriety. 7 months ago I entered an inpatient rehab that was CBT based and introduced me to mindfulness, meditation and gratefulness. After care therapy kept me exploring these practices and through that I discovered a video by Brother David which led me to this site. I am grateful that my addiction led me to my current practice and current sobriety,
Thank you so much for sharing your journey. I just lost a loved one to alcohol, young and vibrant. My heart aches for not being able to reached my loved one. The world must have felt so overwhelming that is now so final. I wish you the very best, stay on this journey call recovery, it matters to you and your loved ones. Blessings today and always.
I can feel grateful of the life lesson it offered. As well I realize that with my continued faith and daily work that I am reacting much better towards things. I also am learning to take into consideration the feelings and reactions of others. I’ve become less selfish thinking only what I’m experiencing
I have a similar story for myself and my daughters. I tell them that if I like who I am now I have to accept that it was a bumpy path that brought me here.
When I was a young man, a dispute with my employer ended with me losing my job. My next job brought me back to live in my home state and near the ocean where we raised our three daughters. Today, just as our daughters did, their children and our seven grandchildren are growing up enjoying the ocean, beaches, waterways, in boats, rafts and whatever else that floats. There is something healing and magical about salt air, surf, seabirds, tidal pools, etc., and our entire family knows this instinctively within. None of this would have come about had I not been fired from my job years ago.
Perfect story Kevin. Thanks for sharing it. I can hear the waves and the sea birds as I read your words. We get some of that at Lake Michigan a little over an hour away.
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There was the time I was fired from what I thought I’d be doing perhaps forever. I was managing a small local holistic pet supply store and really loved it. The owners, however, were involved in a cult, led by a person who calls himself a life coach. I, too, saw that “coach” for a little while, but ended ties when I felt him trying to control my life. I never spoke of that to them because they loved him so much. Two days before a dream trip to Costa Rica (4 months after having ended a toxic marriage), they fired me. First they thanked me for helping build their business (I’d been there 8 years), but then said we were on different paths and that if I would consider going back to Keith, I might be able to save my job. I laugh at that now. I trusted the process. If they wouldn’t have fired me, I may never have met my soulmate who I married a year and a half ago since we met at work where I’ve been 4 years now. I’m incredibly grateful for that.
I’m also grateful for the letter of apology and rekindled friendship with the main owner, who told me that they were influenced by Keith and that she and her husband had to leave the state to get away from him. Even better is that I’ve had people I know who were followers of his who’ve come to me to tell me they got out (easy to find me at a grocery store). Some of them hadn’t talked to their families in 14 years, some longer, but they had cut everyone out who wasn’t a “student” of Keith’s. They got their lives back! What a great blessing. And I heard Keith is leaving the area because all of his people found out the truth. Another blessing, although I hope wherever he goes he does not cause as much harm as he did here over the past twenty years.
An incredible story. So glad you did what you needed to do and in the process even found love.
It is fortunate that how I perceive things, is within my control because it all plays out in my mind. I am grateful for that.
Yes. I’m grateful that the situation has passed.
Six years ago, I had an experience that felt like a breakdown. (I can elaborate elsewhere, for those who are curious.) I have spent most of the time since then feeling an underlying dread that robbed me of so much joy. Some tough things happened to me in that time—I lost my job, my father was diagnosed with cancer —but many wonderful things have happened since then too. More importantly, a LOT of things happened, many that I didn’t expect. Even though that time felt like the end of the world, it was not, and I am so much stronger when I am able to be present and connected.
I had cancer years ago. Diagnosed at stage 4, when I was at the height of my becoming. It seemed so cruel, a slap in the face to all my spiritual practices and inner work up to that point. During treatment, those spiritual practices were what gave me life and hope. I felt closer to God during treatment than I ever had before. There is something about possible death that lifts the veil just a smidge between this life and the next. I’m grateful for the felt presence of God during those difficulties. I’m grateful for no longer being so quick to speak or write platitudes to others when they suffer. I have deepened my own soul’s journey because of this challenge.
One of my brothers died by drowning about 6 years ago. After his death I made sure to stay closely connected to my sister-in-law so she knew she was still part of our family. I would rather have my brother back in a heartbeat!! But the result of this has been to become so much closer to my sister-in-law and she’s truly my sister now. She has said the same thing, that when they were a couple we always interacted mediated by the couple and not the two of us as women together. We’re closer friends now than we were for the 25 years they were married.
That’s wonderful, Barb – thanks for sharing 🙂
In retrospect, I can feel gratitude for all experiences. Especially the difficult ones. For me, real change does not come easy.
understanding the role of conditioning and the impact of desire, fear, and hurts 0n behvaiours, be they unconscious and/ or becoming conscious.
Grateful Monday everyone. I’m in a difficult situation. My stepdaughter is having the karmic experience of being a severely mentally ill trauma survivor. Her illnesses and experience cause her to engage in risky behavior which cause significant harm to herself and others. The last two years have been a journey. The path is my access to version of myself that cannot only “handle” this– she can “hold” this situation in my heart. My husband, her Aunt and I came together in an intervention yesterday that gives us hope. I’m grateful for hope. I’m also grateful for the love of my partner and our extended family. Lastly, I’m grateful to have my path as a constant in a world of Impermanence. I know everything is impermanent; but, I felt so much more connected to what was above the “craziness” because of this and my other practice.
Best wishes to you and your family. Keep practicing your dharma and all else will fall in place.
Thank you AP. I intend to. I believe it will unfold as it should. Namaste.
Loving and peace-filled thoughts go with you.
Thank you Yram
Starting from the time of our births, all great things arise through difficulty – the idea of difficulty equating with misfortune is simply a modern myth. Indeed we need others to assist us when going through difficulty, but not supporting us to get out or away, but to get through.
Chester, So true…we don’t seem to learn or be willing to grow unless we are challenged. Life can truly transform us when we are truly willing.
That is a profound thought! Thank you!
My friend Anne has need a lot of support in and out of the hospital from recent serious heart issues. Although it is hard for me to be gone so much, I am grateful that I have been able to help her.
My difficult situation has been drinking alcohol abusively. It did not start out that way but has always ended up that way. After 17 years of sobriety I gave my self permission to drink again. Then ensued a 13 year period of sobriety and relapse along a couple of DUI’s and the associated jail time and court ordered sobriety. 7 months ago I entered an inpatient rehab that was CBT based and introduced me to mindfulness, meditation and gratefulness. After care therapy kept me exploring these practices and through that I discovered a video by Brother David which led me to this site. I am grateful that my addiction led me to my current practice and current sobriety,
Thank you so much for sharing your journey. I just lost a loved one to alcohol, young and vibrant. My heart aches for not being able to reached my loved one. The world must have felt so overwhelming that is now so final. I wish you the very best, stay on this journey call recovery, it matters to you and your loved ones. Blessings today and always.
That is amazing work. Keep it up and I am glad you found this site. The journey continues and we are with you.
Keep up the good work.
I can feel grateful of the life lesson it offered. As well I realize that with my continued faith and daily work that I am reacting much better towards things. I also am learning to take into consideration the feelings and reactions of others. I’ve become less selfish thinking only what I’m experiencing
A divorce so very long ago set me and my daughters free to become the fullness of who we are now.
I have a similar story for myself and my daughters. I tell them that if I like who I am now I have to accept that it was a bumpy path that brought me here.
Thankfully you had the courage to make a change.
When I was a young man, a dispute with my employer ended with me losing my job. My next job brought me back to live in my home state and near the ocean where we raised our three daughters. Today, just as our daughters did, their children and our seven grandchildren are growing up enjoying the ocean, beaches, waterways, in boats, rafts and whatever else that floats. There is something healing and magical about salt air, surf, seabirds, tidal pools, etc., and our entire family knows this instinctively within. None of this would have come about had I not been fired from my job years ago.
Perfect story Kevin. Thanks for sharing it. I can hear the waves and the sea birds as I read your words. We get some of that at Lake Michigan a little over an hour away.