Life's Lemons

photo courtesy of momlogic.com

  You cannot control what happens to you, but you can control your attitude toward what happens to you, and in that, you will be mastering change rather than allowing it to master you. Brian Tracy

Sometimes life just stinks!  Sometimes certain things around you just stink!  And sometimes trying to be positive just plain stinks!  You know they old saying, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade?"  What happens when the lemons are too sour?  You put a lot of sugar on them, duh!

No one ever said life was going to be easy.  And no one ever said that the path you chose in life will be easy, but everyone always says it will be worth it.  There are times in life that I find myself struggling to be positive, struggling to find the good in the situation, and struggling to do the right thing.

"Faith is what makes life bearable, with all its tragedies and ambiguities and sudden, startling joys." Madeleine L'Engle

I have been through a few difficult times in my life, and it is in these difficult times, no matter how big or how small they are, that I find myself thinking that I need to sit back and re-examine the situation.  I need to quit being so stubborn and quit trying to be in control of everything and just do my part and give the rest to God.  Its as simple and as difficult as that.  I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason, that you just have to have faith and trust in God, and one day you will see why it is you were put through this trial.  Growing up I've always heard stories about people who read their bibles religiously, like we all should, and find scriptures that call out to them in times of need.  Once upon a time ago, I was going through a pretty rough time.  I was really struggling and just could not figure out why it was that God thought I needed to endure what I was having to go through.  Day after day, I could not quit figure out what I was supposed to do.  I tried taking control of the situation by dealing with it myself, that sure didn't work.  Finally, after days of awfulness, I decided to open my bible.  I open it, and no joke, this scripture pops out at me:

No trial has come to you but what is human. God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

Wow!  That was all I could say, wow, wow, wow!  It's funny how things work.  Over the years, I have come to treasure this scripture, I pass it on to many people who I feel need a little encouragement at times.  It spoke mountains to me and I am so thankful that I was able to give up my power struggle with control and trust and have faith that God will take care of me.  

"It's these turnaround or these pivotal moments that introduce you to yourself these small or these huge catastrophic events in your life--I do think that that's where you really meet yourself." Sheryl Crow

God works in mysterious ways and brings people, ie our angel on earth, into our life for a reason.  He provides us with trial after trial to help shape us into the person that we become.  Throughout medical school, I faced so many obstacles and felt like I was jumping over hurdle after hurdle at times.  Looking back, I see reason for why I had to endure the things I did at the time I did.  I have come out of all of the trials I have faced as a better person and a better physician to my patients as well.  I have become more understanding of the importance of taking care of the WHOLE body and I have a lot more respect for certain issues that people face.  I have also become more appreciative of the relationships that I do have.  And I am working on letting people know more often how much they mean to me and how much I love them.  I have lots of work to do though, don't we all?

"Life's about who you love and who you hurt...it's about trust, happiness and compassion. It's about sticking up for your friends. Life is about avoiding jealousy, overcoming ignorance, and building confidence. It's about what you say and what you mean. It's about seeing people for who they are and not for what they have. Most of all its about choosing your life to touch someone elses in a way that could never have been achieved otherwise." unknown

I feel as if I have been so blessed in this life of mine.  I have such an incredible family, a husband who adores me more than I could ever ask for, 3 pretty cool dogs, and awesome friends who I love to Paris and back.  I also have an incredible job, where I am able to help children and set an example for them as they grow up and face this crazy world.  It's really as simple as this, I am blessed! 

Now, back to life's lemons...Life is full of them, but it is when times are tough, we must sit back and really think about the people and things in life that we are so fortunate to have.  We must re-examine the positives.  What are the positives in your life?

A strong positive attitude will create more miracles than any wonder drug.

Patricia Neal 

Now, does anyone have any good lemonade recipes?  I am really thirsty! 

photo courtesy of teenchennai.com