Everything Happens For A Reason

By Dr. Laila Ahmed

Sometimes people come into your life and you know right away that they were meant to be there, to serve some sort of purpose, teach you a lesson or help figure out who you are or who you want to become. You never know who these people may be but you lock eyes with them, you know that very moment that they will affect your life. And sometimes things happen to you at the time that may seem horrible, painful and unfair, but in reflection you realize that without overcoming those obstacles you would never realize your potential, strength, will power or heart.Everything happens for a reason. Nothing happens by chance or by means of luck.

Illness, love, lost moments of true greatness and sheer stupidity all occur to test limits of your soul. Without these small tests, life would be like a smoothly paved, straight, flat road to nowhere safe and comfortable but dull and utterly pointless.

The people you meet affect your life. The successes and downfalls that you experience can create who you are, and the bad experiences can be learned from. In fact they are probably the most important ones.

If someone hurts you, betrays you or breaks your heart, forgive them because they have helped you learn about trust and importance of being cautious to whom you open your heart. If someone loves you, love them unconditionally not only because they love you, but also because they are teaching you to love and open your heart and eyes to little things. Make every day count. Appreciate everything that you possibly can, for you may never experience it again.

Talk to people whom you have never talked to before, and actually listen. Let yourself fall in love, break free and set your sights high. Hold you head up.Tell yourself you are a great individual and believe in yourself, for if you don’t believe in yourself, no one else will believe in you. Create you own life and then go out and live it.

Dr. Laila Ahmed a post graduate in psychology and master trainer for National Federation of Neuro Linguistic Psychology, Theta Healing and certified Clinical Hypnotherapist, registered with the Indian Board of Alternative Medicine. She is a specialist in Emotional, Physical Healing and Aura Exploration from The World School. She brings holistic advantage to the healing process through her keen understanding of several alternative Therapies. The most remarkable healing without medicines.

 

The Best Time of Life

By Nancy Kelsey Smith

Do you remember the excitement that seemed attached to almost everything you did when you were very young? Life was experienced in full color and on the wide screen with endless possibilities to check out and unlimited horizons to explore. You loved animals and dirt and clouds and ice cream and just about anything else one could name. Friends were easily made and completely trusted and fights were patched up as quickly as the scrapes on your knees and elbows. You were young and free with oodles of time ahead of you and life was good.

Then came those turbulent teen-age years fraught with awkwardness and eager anticipation. You still liked animals and clouds and ice cream but, dirt…not so much. Friends were still cherished but not so totally trusted and your heart had, no doubt been injured a few times by this point. Clothes took on a whole new importance in your life as did your interest in the opposite sex. You often had a hard time making peace with the changes occurring in your mind and body and the blossoming that was taking place within you was not without trials and tears. Yes, you had trepidations and fears but also great hope and all in all, life was good.

Soon adulthood arrived and with it a mountain of responsibilities. All of a sudden it seemed there were many people who depended upon you and while being needed can be a good thing, too much of it can be pretty overwhelming. The excitement and mystery that was part of the dating process had to evolve but in doing so gave way to something infinitely deeper in the marriage relationship. Great joy was derived from family but concerns were also part of everyday life. This was a time of long hours spent working and not enough hours spent sleeping but through the midst of it you were fully engaged with life and it was good.

The empty next years when children have flown from the home to begin their own lives can bring with it a profound sense of loss. Still loved, of course, but not needed in the same way. This change causes many to question who they are now that their life circumstances have changed so much. Sometimes it takes a while to wade through this stream of emotion before one lands safely on shore to another, yet very pleasant destination. This can be such a rich time for exploring new possibilities for employment, for charitable work, for interesting new hobbies and a myriad of other prospects. Once you accept the inevitable marching on of time you can begin to more fully appreciate the present and realize that life is good.

Nancy Smith is one of the owners of RobbinsSports.com, an online retailer specializing in basketball uniforms and basketball jerseys.

 

Courage To Be Different

By Shiloah Baker

Not everyone wants to stand out from the crowd and do things differently from everyone else. Some people enjoy going with the flow and being the average person. To those who want to stand apart, I’m writing to you today.

It takes courage to be different. A courageous woman sees changes that need to be made in her life, family or situation and despite opposition; she goes forward and makes those changes. Many times important responsibilities to be done are not for the faint of heart. Each time one embraces a challenge in spite of opposition, she becomes a stronger person. Eleanor Roosevelt said, “You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do.”

Taking the leap of faith to home school, as one example, is not an easy task. You may not have the support or encouragement of your friends and family. While in public you may be scrutinized or criticized vocally or in passing judgmental whispers and stares.   Susan B. Anthony, wise woman that she was said this, “Cautious, careful people, always casting about to preserve their reputation and social standing, never can bring about a reform. Those who are really in earnest must be willing to be anything or nothing in the world’s estimation, and publicly and privately, in season and out, avow their sympathy with despised and persecuted ideas and their advocates, and bear the consequences.”

One thing I’ve noticed is if we share a decision we’re making with friends, and we don’t have a strong resolution one way or the other, the person listening may think it is an open invitation to sway you in the way they think you should go. I’ve learned through experience that a well meaning friend or family member may add to my confusion in important decisions and I have lost courage temporarily in my resolve. I now try to be careful in mentioning a decision or problem that has not been resolved or decided upon, unless I respect her take on it and want her wisdom and advice. It is a good rule to make important life decisions between you, God and your spouse. I find that I can share openly once the decision is made, without waffling back and forth.

I’ve never been a “by the book” person and I choose the road less traveled. I have a large family. I’m religious. I home school my children. By all accounts, I’m not your typical peanut butter and jelly. I’m more roast beef on rye. That’s okay. What matters most is that your own life decisions bring you great joy. I love my life and I know I’m doing what is right for me and my family.   My life decisions also bring opposition in the form of criticisms from many who don’t understand.   Just knowing this makes it easier at times to resist the opposition, knowing that it will come.

Take courage. If you are thinking of making an important change in your life, especially one that goes against societies “norm” such as homeschooling, joining a new church, or staying home instead of working 9-5 at a regular job, know that it is not without sacrifice, but it is always worth it in the end. I would much rather have no regrets than live wishing I had taken the leap of faith to be a little different for a better good. Let each criticism strengthen your resolve and forge through, move forward, continue on. You are not alone. Many times I am relieved and happy to find others who are making the sacrifice to be courageous too. Don’t forget that, in being different for a better good, you are making a difference in your life and an example in the lives of those who know you.

Shiloah Baker is a mother of seven children and homemaker who resides in North Carolina. She is the owner of Homemaking Cottage & Co., a website which offers homemaking related articles, books, eBooks, ideas, other homemaking related materials, and a subscription service.