It as always been my life goal to be a better person. Even in the midst of sickness, hurt, disappointment, times of despair, discouragement, death and loss. I have had many opportunities to become bitter.
But in the midst of all adversity; what good would bitterness serve? For me it would only make my situation worse. If I had to choose the easy way out; I would choose bitterness. But life is not about choosing the easy road, for its through the rough roads that we learn to be better people.
If I never experienced any hardships in my life, I would never know what strength and endurance I was capable of. For it was and is through the hard times that I grow; I become stronger, wiser, compassionate, humble and become more aware of the needs of others around me.
What benefits would I have gained if I chose to be a bitter person? None! Bitterness would have made me an angry, negative, unfeeling and unloving person. So everyday I have to rise above bitterness and choose to be a better person.
Being a better person does not come easy, it requires hard work, discipline and focus. I have to find beauty amidst all the everyday challenges that would cause one to become bitter. To see the beauty in the little things and most of all to find gratitude and be thankful for life’s simpler blessings.
I have found true meaning in life by not measuring my happiness by what I possess materialisticly, my job doesn’t define who I am or who I am not and my bank account is not a measuring tool for my self worth. True meaning is defined by our happiness from within; inspite of tradegy, lack of materialism, joblessness, sickness, loss and death. Life can still have meaning and purpose, despite our situations.
A good example of or living testimony to the power of the human spirit is by a man named Jerry Long. He found meaning and happiness in life despite his situation. Jerry had been paralyzed from his neck down since a diving accident which left him a quadriplegic. I’m quoting him; “I view my life as being abundant with meaning and purpose. I broke my neck, it didn’t break me. I believe that my handicap will only enhance my ability to help others. I know that without the suffering, the growth that I have achieved would have been impossible.” What an amazing testimony that I pray one day will be mine. I’m a work in progress!
My own illness and Lauren’s disability have rendered me helpless and hopeless many times. But I am learning every day to find meaning and purpose through it all. It’s a long journey but I will find my way; in spite of it all. I will become that;”Better Person”.
“..that my trials come to only make me strong”.
