Tackling the Tough Times

From Rebecca Skinner

The Celebrants Network Incorporated Blog Coordinator
Celebrants & Celebrations Network Australia Celebrant Member
www.celebratinglifeschapters.com

From every wound there is a scar, and every scar tells a story. And it's not just a story about pain and suffering, it's also a story about survival, the learning process, and seeing the silver linings.

We often treat troubles as real negatives. They come into all our lives with no notice and we don't want to have to deal with them. But the reality is, troubles can often open the door to many positives.

And it's only when you've overcome the tough times that will you see the benefits they may have brought – after all you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel until you have walked through the darkness.

Perhaps the most important positive is that of being grateful. Rather than dwell on the trouble it's important to recognise the many things we all have to be grateful for.

For me, the recent near death experience of someone extremely close to me proved a very good example. The people we met as a result of the ordeal gave us renewed faith in human beings and their many amazing qualities. I am so grateful to have witnessed the compassion, kindness and generosity of so many complete strangers; many of whom I hope will become friends.

Holding a ceremony to recognise what we are grateful for after a particularly tough time is a very positive way of moving forward and actively embracing the good things in life. The TCNA has celebrants all around the country who are experienced in creating special ceremonies for all occasions. Holding a ceremony after a particularly large ordeal can recognise the pain while embracing all that we still have to be grateful for. It can be an important stepping-stone to guide us deeper into our own hearts. It also helps us be 'in the present', can change moods from negative to positive and creates good vibrations that modify the reality around us. 

As Oprah Winfrey said, "Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough."