Personal Problems Were the Best Holiday Gift I Have Ever Recieved
December 21, 2006 · Print This Article
“There is nothing the body suffers that the soul may not profit by.”
George Meredith
British writer + poet (1828-1909)
As I look back on the most intense year of my life, I find there are two ways I could tell you about it. Here’s one way, and it’s all true:
I moved into the home of my dreams only to wonder how the hell we would continue to pay for it. My husband crumbled under the pressure of self-hatred and guilt and let his addictions take over his mind. My children witnessed the worst sides of both of their parents come out in full force as bitter fighting and anger ensued. I told my husband I was divorcing him. I left a high-paying job to start up a business making a fraction of what I used to make. We had to borrow money to make ends meet. And my business is nowhere near bringing in the revenue I want it to bring in.
Yet, that is NOT how I look back on 2006. In fact, 2006 was the best year of my life. Want to know why?
Because in 2006 we moved into our dream home and renovated it, and every month we have paid the mortgage on time. My husband conquered his inner demons to finally find the strong, confident, amanzing man I always knew he was capable of being. My marraige is closer than it has ever been before. My children have grown more mature and self-confident as they have witnessed their parents make lemonade from lemons this year. I finally took the biggest leap of faith in my life to pursue my dreams, which has brought me more happiness than I could have ever anticipated. And my business is finally close to bringing in revenue that matches my old salary.
I could have allowed myself to crumble under all that happened in 2006. But instead, I chose to allow my soul to profit from the experiences, turning my biggest problems into my biggest assets.
So how about you? What did you overcome in 2006? If you were to pick one problem that actually turned out to be the biggest gift you have ever received, what would it be?
Happy Holidays everyone, and I look forward to growing with you in 2007!
Great Post Wendy!
I really love your sentence:
“But instead, I chose to allow my soul to profit from the experiences,”
Who we are, how we are and why we are, is a choice.
We get to choose the type of person we become.
We don’t have to be the product of our life-experiences.
We get to choose to be incredible, amazing, inspirational and exceptional human beings DESPITE our life experiences. DESPITE what the world or others have taught us. DESPITE our situation or circumstances.DESPITE our history and DESPITE the expectations of others.
Mother Teresa did.
Martin Luther did.
Nelson Mandela did.
They did exceptional things, they lived exceptional lives, they were exceptional.
By Choice.
Have a great holiday season Wendy.
Craig Harper
john@craigharper.com.au
http://www.craigharper.com.au
Wendy, you are so silly. You have already positively impacted millions of lives. Maybe this isn’t obvious by hit counts to this specific blog, but you have to consider those of us who do visit on a regular basis, “move the message” forward. Maybe it’s totally cool you’ve touched just one life. Would that diminish your dream? Yours is the only one I read regularly, and I love the way you tell us what the negatives are. It makes you real to me. The fact you then move on to let us know you simply choose to draw yourself to the positives, is what makes you special. Have the Happiest New Year ever would ya?
[...] Intentions: Skyrocket this blog [and my marriage]. ~ [...]
Dear Wendy,
I stumbled upon your blog by accident today, and the similarity of our lives has made my eyes wet. But I am still in the midst of the chaos, on the brink of asking for a divorce.The way you have described yourself living at 20% of your potential and how it weighed down your heart each day– well, that is me. And the untapped potential in my alcoholic husband makes my heart ache, too, along with deep concern for our young children. And all of those draining emotions (anger, rage, bitterness, resentment, exhaustion) that go along w/it.Just the craziness of it all. Yet I know what you mean about taking responsibility for our own lives, standards and happiness. I only pray that I can have the strength to do that. I long for peace. Please know that you have inspired this perfect stranger when I desperately needed some hope. Thank you. I wish you and your family well!