Finding the Silver Lining

My younger brother (we’ll call him J) just ended summer break this week.

Middle school, as he’s quickly finding out, is not the easiest. He’s hating his schedule, missing his friends, and trying to adjust to a new school.

Not many people like change, and my brother is no exception. It’s been a little bit of a rough week.

But as he told me of his day, the young philosopher provided me a great insight.

Yesterday, as he was getting to English class, J realized that he had lost his schedule; the teacher sent him to get a new one.

As his counselor printed the information, she asked how everything was going.

Given a chance to vent, J opened up and told her what was going on. He aired his frustrations and misgivings, and after, felt so much better.

He came home beaming, claiming that he “felt mature now;” he even chose water over chocolate milk (he so proudly claimed ) !

And as he opened his folder and showed me his new schedule, he said, “You know, if I had never lost my schedule, I wouldn’t have gotten to talk to the counselor. I guess sometimes bad things can be good things.”

Even now as I think about that, I smile. He’s so right!

In our worst circumstances – whether that’s a lost schedule or a lost job – we can find the silver lining, a lesson learned, an insight gained.

I pondered his quote and where I’ve experienced this in my own life:

• The “love of my life” dumped me the first week of my senior year of college. I was a mess…but I quickly set on my own path, explored my interests, and found myself again. It was one of my biggest spiritual growth spurts EVER!
• I didn’t get a job that seemed perfect for me…And three weeks later, ended up having to move to a different town.
• I did get a job that was completely wrong for me…And met crucial contacts, made like-minded friends, and learned a lot about myself.
• I got fired from said job…and got to enjoy my summer, explore my interests, and start this blog. I now spend everyday in flow.

I’m sure there are hundreds more, but you get the idea: everything happens for a reason. Actually, this reminds me of one of my favorite quotes, sent to me via my favorite daily treat, my note from the Universe:

Whenever something doesn’t work out the way you thought it would, instead of thinking that something went wrong, see it as something that went unexpectedly well, but for reasons that are not yet apparent.

Everything plays to your favor.

Score!
The  Universe

You know what? The same is true for you, my friends. Maybe you’re facing a brick wall, working through a rough patch, or your world is crashing down around you…but remember, it’s all happening for your growth.

You just can’t see it yet! That’s the beauty of retrospect.

Peace, love and a steaming cup of Zen,

- K