I was in the car the other day and this song came on. It made me stop and think. Its not like it was the first time I heard the song. I've heard it plenty of times but the other day I listened to the song - to the words. And the song put me in my place. Every now and then music will do that to me, put me in my place, put things into perspective. Always right on time.
"Don't let me forget who I am"
"Remind me of the man who has nothing to eat"
As I am going through my day to day routine, with my day to day stresses about this, that and the other, "Humble Me" put me in my place. My worries are nothing to those who are really struggling. My kids have food to eat every day while whole countries are starving. And no matter how bad things might seem, they have a way of working out for the best. Sometimes you need to step back to look at the big picture. It really puts things into perspective.
"Remind me to be grateful for what I already have"
As my worries have consumed me over the past few weeks I forget that I am blessed. I forget that there is so much good going on in my life. And as I stress out over what might happen I forget that things could be worse. I forget to say thank you for the blessings that already surround me, for the miracles I have received this year alone.
I have a lot going on in my life right now. I'm going through a divorce, starting school again in a couple weeks, started a new job a few weeks ago, moving this summer. Juggling raising two kids, making sure their needs are met. I'm busy. I get worn out. I worry how I'll manage everything on my plate. I sometimes get to the place of woe is me, no one has it as bad as I do. Ummm, but that's not true. That's the disconnected from self me, the me who has misplaced her connection to Spirit. Who's forgotten that I am where I am because Spirit has been there with me all the way, guiding me with gentle (and not so gentle) reminders when I get off track. Then I step back, take a few deep breaths and remember to hand over to the universe whatever I can't handle. When my load gets too heavy to carry, I hand off some to the universe knowing that a power beyond me has never let me down. I pause and reflect on the blessings I've been given. I pack the worries away, whatever doesn't feed my spirit, whatever doesn't serve me. I'll enjoy what life has already brought my way.
Everything is connected. It's more than being positive, its about being present. It's about stepping back and looking at the big picture and seeing reality for what it really is. It's not just about my little problems that my mind likes to make mountains out of. It's about remembering my place in this puzzle called life. It's about making my contribution to the world and not getting bogged down by every day issues. For there will always be issues, there will always be something to want. There will always be comething. How you look at that something is what matters. Are you looking at the bigger picture or your own version that doesn't really serve you? Learning to recognize the difference is paramount to leading a fulfilled life. Don't get bogged down by whatever life throws at you. It's all temporary, it'll blow over eventually. Really, it will.
A few months down the road I'll be settled in my new place, my divorce will be finalized, I'll be juggling the kids and work and school. It'll be all good, it always is. These hurdles will be surpassed and eventually new ones will show up to replace them. It's all temporary, the up and down cycle of life. Enjoy it while it's good, when it's bad know that it will soon pass. Stay humble, we are all blessed. We are all God's children.
"Don't let me forget who I am"
We all need reminders from time to time.
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