Finding the blessings in disguise

You've probably heard the saying, "Every cloud has a silver lining," or someone may have suggested, "It's probably a blessing in disguise," to a particular challenge. Consider how you react to difficulties in life. Do you look for the hidden opportunities, or do you remain focused on the negative impact of harrowing situations?

When a terrible incident occurs in your personal reality, you may not completely understand why or even how something like that could have transpired. The emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual attachments you develop to people, places, objects, and careers often create a sense of grief and loss if those connections are broken or impacted in a disturbing way.

In order for you to move on and integrate healthy coping mechanisms, you must deal with the negative emotions then let them go. Remaining attentive to the anger, resentment, guilt, or sadness is not optimal for wellness.

There's no right or wrong way to grieve, and how long it takes for one individual may be different for the next. There are ways, though, to help you move slowly past the negative reactions and into a healthier, positive state of overall being.

If a friend advises, "Look at the good that came out of this," he or she may sound trite when you're experiencing such intense emotions; however, the guidance is fairly sound. Once the immediate sense of loss subsides and a grieving process begins, a significant opportunity arises for you to reflect on the circumstances.

Identifying underlying blessings and looking on the bright side of situations, whether simply annoying or overly traumatic, is one approach to moving forward and feeling better about your life.

Review the following methods to find the blessings in disguise:

• Subscribe to a hero consciousness, not a victim consciousness
• Release control of what you think is the best outcome
• Intend for the situation to be healed in the highest and best way
• Ask God, angels, or your higher self to help you learn from the situation
• Make a decision to choose peace, not anger
• React with love
• Own your part and responsibility in any significant life event
• Determine if the change or challenge is something you've actually been praying for. Sometimes we don't know how our prayers are going to be answered.
• Focus on what you can do, not what you can't
• Trust in the process
• Pray for comfort and casually observe for reassuring signs from the universe
• Let go of judgments and open your heart and mind to discover the good

Photo: Morguefile/Mconnors

Affirmations: I understand life will always have its ups and downs, but I choose to have patience with myself and the process and see only love. I recognize the hidden blessings and opportunities for growth in every life challenge or change. As one door closes, a new and better one opens. I trust in the process and release control of outcomes. I know, with full faith and trust, that everything in my life is working out in divine and perfect order and for the highest and best good.