One day at the gym, while listening to a great Tony Robbins audio on my MP3 player, this phrase caught my undivided attention. Since then, I have been focusing on the deep meaning of this particular session of the audio. I have become addicted to it and play it over and over again. “God’s delays are not God’s denials” – no other words could describe what we go through better than this. This phrase truly gets very close to my heart and soul. Acknowledging and understanding the meaning of the words has helped me get through some of the hardest times in my life; it’s recognizing that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
Day after day we are presented with unexpected situations to which we must react. Many times we are forced to commit to decisions that affect our future permanently. Some of these decisions can leave a deep indentation which can be close to impossible to erase or overcome. At times decisions may even quickly build a wall that forces us to go either backwards, around it, climb it or in some situations, even give up. In a free society, it is up to the individual to choose which way. It is up to each of us to decide how we handle the situation and to what degree do we allow the situation to alter the course of our life.
Every new situation that presents itself, promises to have an impact in our lives. But, it is a decision we must make, to whether or not we allow these situations to dictate how we react and how we feel. Recently, my family was presented with several trials from an immediate family member being diagnosed with a chronic medical condition, animosity between loved ones, housing relocation, to the distress of dealing with a bad real estate deal and many more in between – all within 10 months. These happenings have put the greatest financial and emotional burden in our lives; it has presented us with many ups and downs and has put an intensifying strain in the marital bliss we’ve worked so hard to achieve. It has totally been up to us to allow these events to reign in negativity or to stay strong with a positive mental attitude and be confident that we can climb this wall, and find ways to overcome these situations.
We have made a conscious decision to keep on going with our heads up, remaining absolutely certain that these delays for good times are temporary setbacks and not flat out denials from the universe. These are just trials that we must endure to become better, stronger and faster at what we seek to achieve.
I now understand that it is not about the situation, it is about development and growth which stems from the way you decide to handle the situation. It is about what you can become. It is about an unexpected situation that appears on the surface to be an obstacle or an encumberment but that in reality it is an opportunity in disguise – and opportunity to learn valuable lessons in life. These lessons are designed to help us become the great individuals we are meant to be, while advancing our journey. Some lessons are harder than others but believe me, if you were not ready to experience it you wouldn’t be in it. Everyone has their own battle to fight and even when we are battling what appears to be the same fight, each individual’s perception and experience will be completely different.
So, as a practice, when experiencing a hard situation – ask yourself – How do I handle stressful situations? Is my reaction going to help me solve this issue? Are my emotions enabling me from climbing up and defeating this wall? Is my current state of mind going to prevent me from growing and from allowing better things to come my way?
Become aware of your own ways and you will start to see a difference. Be open, offer your thoughts, comments and personal experiences with this – it will free you up and truly help you perceive things differently.