A woman writes of things in her life that make her appreciate all that she has.
Discouraged? Discouraged because you feel as though you don't have a friend in the world?
Look around you, and you will see people who can be potential friends if you just take the time to walk up to them and talk to them. A stranger, as I have been told, is a friend that you haven't met. And you have a Friend that is ALWAYS with you, no matter WHAT you may be going through; and that friend is Jesus Christ. He loves you more than anything, and He will NEVER forsake or abandon you, REGARDLESS of what you may be going through in life!
Discouraged? Discouraged because you are struggling with bills, even though you have a job?
Be thankful that you HAVE a job to go to; many people don't, and nobody is willing to hire them because of how bad the economy is, or they don't want to hire because they are downsizing their companies, or they don't want to hire because people don't have the experience or are disabled; and they don't want to give them the opportunity to succeed in life. Many people are struggling because of these factors, but those who ARE employed should thank their lucky stars that they aren't on the street someplace looking for a bite to eat or a place to stay; they should be thankful that they can pay their bills. It may not be the BEST job in the world, but a job is a job, and they should be grateful that somebody gave them the opportunity!
Yes, it would help greatly if the government would stop cutting programs to help the disabled, the elderly, the poor, or the nation's children and stop giving breaks to the wealthy; but for now we should be thankful for all we have and try to help those in need the best way we possibly can!
Discouraged? Discouraged because you are struggling with a disability?
Yes, you may be disabled, but if you give in to your disability, nobody is going to want to be around you because that is all you seem to focus on; and just because you are disabled doesn't mean that you can't do anything you set your mind to! I am disabled myself, as you can see (I use a cane to help me walk, and I have a very bad back), plus I am a little person; but my disabilities have never slowed me down any, and I am NOT about to let them do so! I am going to keep on working as long as I am able, and I am going to try to raise my children to the best of my ability and give them a chance to succeed in life! Sure, being in pain 24 hours a day is NOT easy, but I look about me and I see people who have it SO far worse than I do, and I am thankful that I can at least walk, talk, think, see, hear, and work AND take care of a family!
Discouraged? Discouraged because you have trouble learning our language or people get frustrated at you because they don't speak your language?
Honey, I know how it is. I speak both English and Cajun French, and when I was growing up, I had to act as translator for my papa, who still has trouble with English today, and I would get so mad and frustrated with him; but then he started learning English, and he is finding out just how easier things are becoming for him. He was also illiterate, and has only learned to read about two years ago, and now he can not get enough out of reading! He reads all of the time, and it is also helping him improve his English skills! My papa spoke Cajun French for YEARS, and he saw NO need to learn English (he was stubborn; still is!), but then he saw how limited his world was, so he decided to do something about it, and now he is flourishing. It is incredible to see the change in my father!
I also had to learn different languages because my job requires it, plus I have children in my family who were adopted from different lands, and in order for me to communicate with them, I had to learn basic words or phrases in languages like Chinese, German, Vietnamese, Korean, Spanish, Croatian, Dutch, and Swahili; this way, they could make their wants or needs known, and I wouldn't have to keep second-guessing what they needed! It wasn't easy, but I learned, and I am not sorry that I did! (It also helped having kids who spoke both English and their native language; that way, they acted as my translators, and believe me, that comes in VERY handy!)
Discouraged? Discouraged because you are struggling with bad or painful memories?
Well, everyone does from time to time; I know I do! I still struggle with the deaths of my beloved mother, Claudie, who died of cancer 6 years ago, and I still struggle with the deaths of my three biological children, Pierre, L'Acadia, and Aron; and I still cry at times when I think about them. It is only natural, and in time the pain has gotten less; but I still will never stop missing or loving them! I also lost a sister, a brother-in-law, and two small nieces to a plane crash, and I also lost a friend on September 11, 2001 (she died when the one plane hit the one World Trade Center tower; she died instantly), and so I have had much in the way of pain in my life; but I still go on and try to live my life as normally as I possibly can because this is what they would have WANTED! Don't tell me your troubles; believe you, me, I have had plenty of my own, and I am NOT one who is going to spend her days wallowing in self pity! I am a VERY strong person, and I am MUCH BETTER than that!
Discouraged? Discouraged because your family or friends abandoned you?
Well, I am here for the asking; I am a friend to everybody, and if anyone is struggling, I am a good listener, and I WILL let you talk if you ever find a need to. I was taught to care, and I have always been a caring person in nature. If I can't help, I CAN listen, and sometimes that is all it takes. I can also pray for you, and even if you don't believe, I won't force my beliefs on you, and I always think that prayer is a good thing. This is why I pray for people, and besides it shows that I care. I can be a formidable enemy if you make me mad in any way, but I can also be a friend, and I can be the best friend you have ever had if you give me that chance!
This one was a beautiful heartfelt write, keep up the great work!
God Bless
~Michelle~
Reviewed by serenety L
7/2/2003
Oh Karen, this one made me cry. I am also discouraged of all the things that happened to me lately. But that, again, is nothing compared to what you describe.
Thanks for lifting me up and making my day, again as so often before
Take care my frien
Nico
beautiful uplifting heartfelt write karen!!
yip I am feeling much better thanks..:))))
and eady for some action......lol..be warned.......heheheheheheheh!!!!
When two men hit the reset button and decide to go out looking for the good in the world, they not only find it but also a lot more.
P.S. The title is listed on Amazon under Look for Something Good by Robert Drews (not by Robert H. Drews)
I have written a chapter called I Am That, I Am in this inspirational compilation book by best-selling authors and wonderful people from all walks of life xox :-D (Its sister book is called Adventures In Manifesting - Success and Spirituality)
