Unsplash/Stefan Stefancik
By Linda Commito
We can learn to hold a place of gratitude for the gifts that our life challenges can present.
No matter how good we are or how much kindness and love we spread in the world. . . no matter how careful we are…things happen that can send a jolt to our sense of well-being and our physical and mental health.
Part of living in and accepting these human bodies is knowing that there are times when we will be ill, our hearts will ache, and we will fall or have accidents that will cause us pain or discomfort or anxiety (and I am sure you can add a few more to this list).
How can we fall into grace and hold a place of gratitude for the gift that the illness or incident offers, thankful for the new perspective and understanding, appreciative of the “helpers”—both physical and spiritual—and hopefully, be grateful that it wasn’t worse?
I wrote this on Thanksgiving. That morning my partner and I went for an early morning walk to coffee except that we didn’t make it. Half way there, I turned to say, “Let’s get a move on” and turned back, catching my foot on a grate and falling face first onto the cement. Luckily, I turned my face slightly as I fell and only chipped two teeth. Grace.
Since then, I have had health challenges that have rocked my sense of equilibrium, making it even clearer how quickly things can change. It has put my life and what I focus on in perspective.
I’ve learned that I am not super woman and that it’s ok to just BE. And I’ve discovered that my community—both local and in far-away places—is awesome in their loving efforts to offer support.
When I fall into grace with trust, I am humbled by those who are there to break my fall.
I am deeply grateful.
Linda Commito, author, speaker, entrepreneur, consultant and teacher, is passionate about her vision to leave this world a kinder, more compassionate and interconnected place. Her award-winning book of inspirational stories, Love is the New Currency, demonstrates how we can each make a positive difference in the lives of others through simple acts of love and kindness. Visit http://www.loveisthenewcurrency.com for more information and/or to sign up for an uplifting monthly newsletter. Read about everyday acts of kindness on http://www.FB.com/kindnesscollaborative. Linda believes
that in order to inspire a kinder world the place to start is with children. She volunteered at a Title One elementary school, working with over 500 students, to create and facilitate “Kindness Starts with Me,» a program which includes a website (http://www.kindnessstartswithme.com) and a book for children.