Each day seems to be more difficult than the previous.\u00a0 Each day seems like this trial will go on forever.\u00a0 Each day we have to strive to persevere.<\/p>\n
In particular I am referring to my grieving for my son, but I realize that the words above can apply to a variety of situations.\u00a0 Whether it be discipline issues, health problems, or homeschool challenges, we have to pull ourselves up for our family and for ourselves.<\/p>\n
The family is a wonderful gift.\u00a0 Yes, it can cause pain and we can respond in frustration.\u00a0 Yes, we can experience the pain, and respond in a loving manner.\u00a0 This is hard.\u00a0 It is easier said then done.<\/p>\n
We can look at the struggles we are in and complain.\u00a0 Once we are done nothing has changed and we might even feel more self-pity.\u00a0 How about seeing our struggles as a blessing?\u00a0 Asking ourselves questions like:\u00a0 How can I learn from this situation?\u00a0 What virtues can I put into practice?\u00a0 How can I be a better person?<\/p>\n
For some we might think that the problem lies with our child, husband, neighbor, or something else outside of us, and they are the ones that need to change.\u00a0 We can all use improvement- there is no denial about that fact.\u00a0 While we cannot change another persons behavior we can change ourselves.\u00a0 We can change how we respond to that person or situation.\u00a0 No, they probably will not see you\u00a0being loving and think I need to amend my ways.\u00a0 It may take a long time and they might not come around to seeing things your way.\u00a0 In the meantime at least you are making sure to be loving on your end. You are striving to be a better person. You are growing in virtue. You are persevering through the difficulties.<\/p>\n
For me, accepting my son is gone (which is difficult to do)\u00a0does not make the pain go away.\u00a0 I can fight the pain and be angry or thank God for it.\u00a0 I have chosen to be thankful.\u00a0 Every tear I shed represents the love in my heart.\u00a0 I think of all my tears being collected and one day being returned to me as joy.<\/p>\n
No one asks to be challenged with troubles but they come.\u00a0 In the midst of it all it is easy to see life as overwhelming and recognize your helplessness.\u00a0 But we are not helpless, we have free will.\u00a0 Free will to decide how we are going to live.<\/p>\n
You can read tips and books on discipline, try a new therapy, get advice from friends, and so forth.\u00a0 None of this will help if our attitudes are poor.\u00a0 We have to decide to improve our outlook and choose to\u00a0love others and ourselves.\u00a0 If we do this then when things are monumentally difficult we can still persevere.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"