After hosting one of my workshops this past weekend, I spent an afternoon with a friend. I'm so glad I had the chance to connect with her as it had been some time since we'd seen each other. Over the past year we each went through events in our life that impacted us profoundly and changed us forever. I think what she went through was in many, many ways more difficult than my own experience. I was blessed to share her thoughts and talk to her about it.
On my drive home after our visit I thought about the things that we both went through and how life can take a much different turn than one expects in any given moment; when that happens you are tested. Some of us fail. Some of us find ourselves in a whole new light and create awareness and inspiration for others through our experience. I think my friend is truly an inspiration to others. She's a person with a gift for sharing experiences through her ability to write. It is in this way that she helps to heal the hearts of others while healing her own as well.
How often do we take for granted the dawn of the day and the fact that we rise each morning to greet it like we did the day before? How many times as parents do we wish for a certain phase to pass with our children or wish that parenting just wasn't so hard?
At times it's so easy to forget that each day is a gift and that if you are blessed to be a parent, those children will not be children forever. All of the phases and stages will too soon become memories. At times it's also easy to think that you are suffering in silence alone with your problems when it's true there are many, many others who share in daily struggles that test their strength and faith.
As Moms we often place enormous amounts of pressure upon ourselves and others. We have expectations of ourselves that are so much higher than anyone else would place on us. I also see how we often choose to judge or criticize instead of stepping up to ask if someone needs help and support, even if it's just the offer to listen and understand what someone is going through. We don't know what another person might be dealing with each day.
My friend and I spoke of faith and how the strength of it or lack of it can play a role in how you handle experiences that test you to the core. It helps us to be thankful for the things we have - our relationships, our children, our family, our friends. It inspires us to be a better person and to give to others remembering that everyone has challenges and struggles along the way.
I'm thankful there are people like my good friend who can manage to see the beauty in things that others may not, that they can take a life experience that has tested their own personal limits and still be able to help shine light into souls shattered and surrounded in darkness. It truly is something remarkable and to see someone amidst their own pain be able to pass on peace to others, truly inspires me to be a better person, a better spouse, a better parent, a better friend. It's a lesson to us all that we have much to give from within ourselves even when we think we don't.
Thanksgiving is not just another holiday long weekend. It is a time to sincerely reflect on all of the things we are given in this life and to recognize all of the gifts we receive, like the gift my friend gave me: the gift of inspiration. I'm thankful for her friendship and for the fact I have the ability to learn and grow as a person because of it.
