Yesterday I was involved in a minor collision. Admittedly at first I was a bit upset about the damage to my vehicle, but I quickly began considering the positives of the situation. I wasn't hurt, in fact nobody got hurt. No police report was filed. The bus that I collided with was unharmed and the driver was willing to call it a "fender bender" and away we both went. I was heading home, and spoke with my mom about it. We laughed and joked, and then a good friend even made a meme about it on my facebook page. Within 20 minutes I had forgotten it even happened.
This morning I learned of a family who lost everything in a house fire. Immediately my "helper gene" was enacted and I got on the phone to help. My family went through the same experience 15 years ago and it was pretty devastating. We lost everything. I was actually very excited at the prospect of getting involved with this family. There is a lesson here. I believe hardship gives us two distinct gifts.
1. It allows us to accept help from others- When you go through a tragedy, you quickly realize how important people are to you and how trivial material things are. When you have nothing, the people that step in to help mean the world to you.
2. It allows us to help others - On the flip side of the coin, you become the "hero". It is very rewarding to help somebody through a situation that you have been through. You get a chance to be a resource to them...maybe materially, emotionally...or often both. Empathy is born of personal tragedy. It allows us to feel good about helping others.
If nothing ever went "wrong", we'd never have this beautiful exchange of help and love. In hardships there are blessings.... count them, be grateful....and always pay them forward. In the end we will leave with nothing but our memories. Let's make great ones! Have a fantastic day. Jeremy
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