Good Advice I'd Forgotten ...

Several years ago, I had a wonderful conversation with a very wise woman of Hindu faith who said: 

"When life slaps you in the face, God grants you 10,000 other little prayers - but if you're so focused on the slap, you won't notice."

She went on to say that it could be something you don't even realize was a prayer or a wish - like "My GOD, why won't my flower just bloom already" - and then it does, but you don't notice because you're so stressed out about work, politics, family, etc., right?

Not only is she saying that God is neither to blame or credit when bad things happen, but she's speaking of the importance of gratitude, being grateful - to God, the universe, your parents, your spouse, you children, you friends, whomever - for what you DO have rather than what you don't.

I've become pretty good at doing this, actually, despite my biological/genetic propensity for clinical depression (which is largely about feelings of worthlessness for things I couldda/shouldda said and done differently, who I am, etc., rather than what I "don't have" anyway.)   I was even able to do it when I was in a genuinely very bleak situation.

However, I think it's human nature to stress about negative things that happen and try to "fix" them - but it may not be healthy to do this for too long, and it does prevent us from paying attention to "what's good."

That is not to say it's not important to acknowledge the slap, the darkness, because it is, and you certainly have the right to feel hurt/sad/mad about these things - but equally important is to eventually find the light, find the blessings you already have around you, which maybe we overlook because of the slap,  yes? :)