GRATITUDE AT A NEW BEGINNING.....PLOUGH ON!!!
Sometimes at the start of a new year or a new beginning we are afraid to wish or pray for good things to happen to us or to show gratitude for the good things in our lives or to go after good things for ourselves, our families and our friends. A lot of us spend our time stuck in regret, wishing our lives had turned out differently, and beating ourselves up for the decisions that have led us to this place. We feel cheated out of a life that could have been something better. We feel angry and sad and disappointed. And most of all, we feel stuck. In these moments, it’s easy to focus on all of the things that have gone wrong. It’s easy to focus on the loss and the heartbreak and the pain, but it’s also important to remember all of the things that have gone right. The start of a new year can be a time when we can and should focus on the positives and good things in our lives. It’s important to remember all of the positive experiences and friendships and growth and laughter we have gained, things you would have never taken part in, lessons you would have never learned, and people you would have never met had you not veered off the desired path. The start of a new year is a time to look at one's life and to look at how one can make it better, more good, more healthier, more loving, more caring, more thoughtful, more hardworking, more thankful, more compassionate, more spiritual, more positive, more inclusive and more fulfilling.
The truth is that every time you thought you were missing out on something important, you were given the opportunity to experience something valuable in its own right. Every time life’s obstacles rejected you from something good, you were being redirected to something, or someone, equally wonderful. You may not have ended up where you intended to go, but trust, for once, that you have ended up where you need to be. Trust that you are in the right place at the right time. Trust that every experience has something to offer you. Trust that something that feels like a curse in the moment can blossom into a blessing. Trust that your life is enough. Trust that you are enough. Why are most of us afraid to follow our dreams? Why do the majority of us find it difficult to achieve what we want, while the minority can somehow set out without so much as a care in the world? What makes some people successful, while others remain simply dreamers? Is it the difference in their internal make-up? Is it in the way they were raised? The environment they grew up in? When one studies the lives of ‘successful people’, one thing becomes evident. These people do not follow a particular pattern; they come from all walks of life, social classes, with varying degrees of socioeconomic backgrounds. Some are from affluent families, while others emerge from economically depressed areas. They come from all corners of the earth. Some of these people are college educated; others learn from the lessons life has taught them. Many learn from a combination of both. However, all of them understand there is no end to learning and that skills have to be constantly upgraded.
"Plough On"
While each successful person probably thought of giving up at some stage, they opted instead to persevere and used it to their advantage. Somehow, they found a way to move past it, trudge ahead and achieve their goal. And still they plough on, setting new goals and never accepting the status quo. Though they may come from vastly differing backgrounds, each has found within themselves the ability to turn dreams into reality. You are just like them. You too can be an achiever. You too can plough on in your own unique and special way. Just like these people, you will face adversity. You may have more than your share of shortcomings. You may have lost your job, your way of life or your faith. You may experience an inordinate amount of failure or suffering. You can still achieve. You have more greatness in you than you know or imagine. It is just a matter of choosing to persevere. Did you know that Beethoven's music teacher told him he was hopeless as a composer. Walt Disney was fired by a newspaper because he had "no good ideas". Thomas Edison’s teacher told him he was too stupid to learn anything. Albert Einstein was four years old before he spoke and stuttered until he was nine. He was advised to drop out of high school and his teachers told him he would never amount to much. Henry Ford's first two automobile businesses failed. Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team. William H Macy's store failed seven times before it caught on. Babe Ruth struck out 1,330 times, but he also hit 714 home runs. Stephen Spielberg dropped out of high school as a sophomore. He was persuaded to come back and was placed in a learning disabled class. He lasted a month. Ray Kroc failed as a real estate salesperson before he set up McDonalds. Our own Pat McDonagh was turned down when trying to open a snooker hall and started his famous Supermac's instead. So please don't give up on yourself and your dreams, plough on instead.
"Don't give up on yourself"
'One day a Man in his 40's got fed up and decided to quit. "I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality, in fact I want to quit my life", he said. Then He went to the woods to have one last talk with God. "God! Can you give me just one good reason not to quit?" He said. But God's answer surprised him. "Look around", God said. "Do you see the fern and the bamboo tree's?" "Yes",The Man replied. Then God continued, "When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds at the same time, I took very good care of them. I gave them light. I gave them water. The fern quickly grew from the earth. It's brilliant green covered the floor. Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo. In the second year the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo. In the third year, there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit! In the fourth year, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit! Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant. But just six months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall. It had spent the five years growing roots but six months to Shoot to the Sky! Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed not just to Survive but to be Significant amidst its peers. I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle because I love them too well!" God said to Him, "Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots." "I would not quit on the bamboo. I will never quit on you. Don't compare yourself to others." "The bamboo had a different purpose than the fern. Yet, they both make the forest beautiful. "Your time will come and You will rise high!", God said. "How high should I rise?" The Man asked. "How high will the bamboo rise?" God asked in return. "As high as it can? The Man replied. "Yes!" God said, "Give me glory by rising as high as you can!" You see God will never give up on us because we are close to His Heart. Never regret a day in your life. Good days give you happiness and Bad days give you experiences. Both are essential to life! A happy and meaningful life requires our continuous input and creativity. It does not happen by chance. It happens because of our choices and actions. And each day we are given new opportunities to choose and act and, in doing so, we create our own unique journey. Keep going and be positive and faithful to your journey as much as you can be. Remember, God will not give up on you. Don't give up on yourself!!
Believe in yourself
When a new day or new year like 2018 begins, dare to smile gratefully and trust that you are enough. When there is darkness, dare to be the first to shine a light. When there is injustice, dare to be the first to condemn it. When love hurts you, dare to love again. When someone is hurting, dare to help them heal. Don't sit idly by watching evil happen, try to stamp out evil when and where you can because for evil to thrive all it takes is for good people to sit quietly and do nothing to prevent the evil. When the day has ended, dare to feel as you’ve done your best. Dare to be the best you can. Every morning is a fresh beginning. Every day is the world made new. Today is a new day, a new year and a new beginning. Today is my and your world made new. I have lived all my life up to this moment, to come to this day to the beginning of this new year. This moment, this day, is as good as any moment in all eternity. I shall make of this day and each moment of this day if I can, a heaven on earth. This is my day of opportunity. Dare to be the best you can be and trust greatly that you are enough and believe in yourself.
As a Final thought....
As a final thought, dare to dream, but, even more importantly, dare to put action behind your dreams and be the best you can be and know and trust that you are enough. Be grateful for all the good things in your life. In finishing I would like to give you this prayer of gratitude that I have adapted to suit what I am grateful for from a prayer by Fr. James Martin and maybe you should try and adapt it for what you are grateful and thankful for in your life as you begin into 2018. "Thank you, God. I’m grateful for so many things that you have given me. I am so grateful for the gift of life that you have given me with all its ups and downs. Without you I wouldn’t be here. Without you nothing would be here. Without you nothing would be at all. I’m grateful for my beautiful and loving parents. They love me with every breath of their being, and they work so hard to make sure that I and my family have enough to eat, that I am clothed and that I have a place to sleep. I’ll never know all that they did for me, but I can be grateful for the things that I know. Help me to be a grateful child, and remind me to be grateful in person. If your parents have ended their time on earth and are with God, be thankful for their lives. I am so grateful for my friends. Even if I have only one, two or a few good friends in my life right now, I’m so grateful. God, you show your love for me through my friends in ways that I sometimes overlook. They give me advice, sometimes when I need it, sometimes when I don’t, which in both situations is a sign of their care for me. They listen to me complain, which I do too much, and they celebrate with me, even if things aren’t always going well for them. They help me to laugh. And they help me to laugh at myself. That alone is reason to be thankful. Help me to be always a good friend in return. I am so grateful for my family. Yes, I know that all families are a little nutty, and mine is no exception. Even Jesus’s family tree had its share of complications. But I’m thankful that, even with the nuttiness, I’m part of a family that has helped to make me the person I am. I know that they try to love me the best that they can. Help me to be a good family member, trying to help out when I can, make the phone call or pay a visit when they’re lonely, and keep my mouth shut when I should be listening, or when I don’t have anything sensible to add to the conversation. I am so grateful for my job. It’s not always a bed of roses, but at least I have a place to work and I am able to make ends meet. That’s more than many people have. Help me to be a good co-worker, to give people the benefit of the doubt, to care for the people and children who are in need and in extreme poverty with whom I work. And help me remember that all work done freely and with a loving heart is worthy in your sight. I’m grateful for all the things that I know many people in this world don’t have. And that’s a long list. So I’m grateful for food. And clean water that is easily available. And clothes. And a roof over my head and my family's head. And heat in the winter and air conditioning in the summer. I’m grateful that I can go to the doctor and get a check up and even get shots to help me avoid illness. That’s a lot more than most people have. Help me to be grateful, and help me remember that I can help those who have less by being generous, caring, compassionate, merciful and loving. That’s one way of thanking you. Most of all, God, I’m grateful for your presence in my life. You’re everywhere, and if I remember to pay attention I can see your invitation to meet you in every moment of the day. I know that it is you who turn my mind to thoughts of gratitude and I pray to you to be more mindful of the positive during 2018 than the negative. And when I’m tempted to focus only on the problems and worries and fears, I know that I’m being led away from you. Now, I’m not always as thankful as I should be, but today as we start into a new year, a new beginning, I am. This year I will try to be grateful for family, friends, colleagues and everything in my life every day, since you are generous all year to me, like you are every year. Amen."