We could allow the strong cultural habit of thought to complain when some event occurs that we very much do not want: serious injury, death of a loved one, a job that does not come through and more. But shifting that habit offers the promise of more fun and more circumstances going our way.

Let’s gain more personal power and reach for clearer thinking. We can learn to transform troubling circumstances to unforeseen opportunities! As Darren Weissman, author of The Power of Infinite Love and Gratitude, calls it, “Gifts in Strange Wrappings.” 

We could begin to notice how some of the unwanted occurrences in our lives birthed unforeseen advantages. How we perceive the “bad” things, how we choose to react shapes our lives in such profound and astonishing ways.

Dramatic Illustrations

1. On one of her recordings Caroline Myss, internationally known spiritual teacher and author, told a striking story. A woman (call her Lana) went off a steep embankment in her car, a horrible accident. Those saving her life were required to amputate bothlegs below the knee. Lana had loved to run and she wanted to run again. Determined, she acquired artificial legs. Before long, Lana discovered she was not happy with the way the available artificial limbs allowed her to move. Undeterred, she designed her own artificial limb– apparently in the shape of a question mark which provided more spring for steps. After a number of years, someone asked her how she viewed that car wreck? She responded, “Before the accident, I never inspired anyone. Now I do. I really value being inspiring.”

2. James experienced a serious injury in the 2013 bombing at the end of the Boston Marathon. Sent to rehab, he healed there for months. There he met a nurse with whom he became friends. When he healed, they courted and then they married. Later, he stated, “I am actually glad I got blown up.”

Please find an article about him at this link. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/27/boston-victim-marries-nurse_n_5718501.html.

3. Gianna experienced a break up of a romantic partnership which had spanned 27 years. As it was happening and for a time afterwards, the ending seemed like a horrible tragedy, this protagonist felt unplugged from connections and thrown down on the mat of life.  In those early months after the separation, this heroine had no idea what could come out of this heartbreak.

As G’s life unfolded, in less than two years’ time Gianna was creating a new life,  moving to a new state and beginning a next chapter. This dear woman got busy learning how to be happier than she ever had imagined being.

Key was a shift in attitude toward creating more joy. Rising up, G allowed the juice from the pain to catapult her to an unforeseen adventure.

4. Goodnewsnetwork.org put forth a piece entitled “Something Good Always Comes Out of Something Bad”. Its author, a widowed mother, kept quotes from her daughter in the years after the father’s death, words about how the daughter saw things. Using that material this star, Eileen Douglas, wrote and published a children’s book entitled “Rachel and the Upside Down Heart”.   In the piece she goes on to include accounts of how this book helped other children heal from great losses.  Ms. Douglas conveys the essence of the point of this blog post beautifully. Read it here:_ http://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/upside-down-heart/.

5. Spencer Quinn has written novels featuring Chet and Bernie in which a man and dog make an effective detective team and the canine narrates the story. Chet, the dog, recounts the way he flunked out of canine school, apparently with an unfortunate incident involving a cat. Mingled with his regret, this wise animal understands that out of those circumstances resulted meeting Bernie, his current master and partner, and realizes the huge positive life change that flowed from this “tragedy.

Conclusion

We are empowered when we read inspiring accounts like these. Please comment and share some tales of wonder from your life or another’s. Doesn’t it feel wonderful to inspire one another?

About the Author

Janet Pearlman is a spiritual teacher, counselor, healer and artist. These posts demonstrate everyday applications of the path to greater self knowledge and mastery. Opportunities for greater empowerment abound in the moments of our lives. As we all go for operating from a centered and loving space, we are creating a world where peace can prevail. In her forty-seven year journey of self-discovery, Janet has deeply studied the teachings of Abraham-Hicks, Ernest Holmes, Inayat Khan and more. Janet offers individual sessions by phone and in person. Please contact her at jpearl555@earthink.net to arrange an appointment.