Three Ways Never to Loose

“Don't cry because it's over.  Smile because it happened.”

– Dr. Seuss

(1904-1991) Author

As we grow in life, there are some truths that we should learn and accept.  One such truth is that you will, from time to time, face disappointments.  Sadly, this is one of the truths so many people just cannot seem to grab hold of.  Their lives are unhappy and often bitter because each time they are disappointed they act like it is the first.  What makes this even harder is that you will find another truth at work here.  The more you allow disappointments to upset you the more disappointments you will face.

                No one likes to be disappointed.  No one likes to loose or to have things they treasure, be that material things or even people, taken from them.  So how do we face the reality of disappointment and not allow it to overtake us?  I have three things we can do that will reduce of feeling of disappointment and loss and replace it with strength and joy.  These three are all wrapped up in the same word, Gratitude.

1)  Be grateful for what you had

                It is one thing to love and cherish the thing and people you have in your life.  It is another to be grateful for them.  Gratitude appreciates that we have and does not claim it as our own.  We see that all things in life are only on loan to us and some of those things are true gifts.  These gifts make us happy and fill us with a sense of thankfulness that we have been blessed for this time.  Once they are gone, we can look back with happiness and gratitude that we were, even for a short time, allowed to be blessed in such a wonderful way.

2)  Be grateful for what you have

                People who do not understand the principle of a grateful heart will be filled with fear.  When some things or even some people are placed into our lives, rather than enjoying them we fear they will go away or be taken away.  That fear causes tension and hurt and what should be a wonderful experience is taken from us.  This is what I meant when I said that people who allow disappointment into their life will only experience more disappointment.

3)  Be grateful for what is to come

                Once a person has been able to develop a grateful heart for what they have had and what they have now, will be grateful knowing that more is to come.  Experience teaches us so very much.  The one who believes that every time they love something it will be taken away, will, in fact, loose what they have.  Likewise, the person who is grateful for what they have while they have it will gain more.  It is that old self-fulfilling prophecy.  What you believe will come about.

                You matter!  You matter to the world and to yourself.  Remember to be your best, love God, have good manners, achieve the unknown and change your world.

John Patrick Hickey is an author, speaker, Life Coach and proud Scouter. To read more from John Patrick Hickey or to get his books, training and book him to speak to your church, business or group, visit our website at http://www.growthcenter.net or www.johnpatrickhickey.com.   © 2014 John Patrick Hickey