Growth

Connie Kaldor is a well-known song writer and folk singer who originates from Regina, Saskatchewan.  I love the beautiful lyrics and smooth rhythms of her music which remind me of the simple things in life.

Connie has an excellent sense of humour which she uses in her concerts.  I remember once hearing her state that being happy is dangerous for a songwriter.  She followed up by saying “Because of this, I always keep a messed-up girlfriend around for song-writing material”.

You have likely noticed that biographies are not possible, unless the subject of the book has gone through difficulties and then overcomes them.  Leaders all have tales to share about how they had to conquer problems that tried to stop them from succeeding.

I am sorry that I don’t remember the name of the speaker who said, “Experience is what you wish was happening to the other guy!”  But it is the experience that makes each of us who we are today.

There is no way that I would be a very compassionate therapist if I hadn’t watched my father die a horrible death of cancer at 52 years or my well-loved mother die of suicide.  My divorce was devastating, as was my recent accident when I fell almost forty feet down the escalator at Calgary Airport.  I have hurt when my children have hurt over different challenges and cried with clients who were victimized unnecessarily.

Each of us would love to live a beautiful fairytale life that is filled with health, prosperity and love but that isn’t realistic.

Just as individuals go to the gym regularly to build muscles and strength, life offers us exercises to build emotional and spiritual muscles and strength.

My grandfather was a Barnardo boy who came as an orphan to Canada when he was only eleven years of age.  He never saw his mother or family again.  I am so blessed to have about thirty pages of his handwritten story.  In it he states:

“People are like trees.  If we grow up in sheltered places, we will be too easily discouraged when the storm hits.  A little buffeting about makes us stronger both physically and spiritually.”

Think about the things that have buffeted you over the years.  How have they strengthened you?  Who helped you to deal with issues at the time?  Have you been able to use those experiences to relate to others who were suffering and to help them through the difficulties?

Remember, strong muscles are to be used not just for our own benefit but also for others.