I just got an email from a client who’s in pain on a day devoted to “gratitude.” Here’s what I wrote to her, in case this can be of service to anyone else out there hurting:
“You are under no obligation to say “thank you” when suffering. And yet it can be comforting to say “thank you” for whatever you can–your talent to heal, your ability to think, speak, move, see, etc. But I think it’s cruel to tell someone in pain that they “should” be grateful for anything. Choose what works for you, darling.”
It’s usually after the fact, after we’ve come out the other side, that we can be grateful for the experience. And it’s really the hard parts of life that teach us empathy, and for that I’m grateful.
Warmest regards,
Morgana
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2 responses so far ↓
1 Julia Mattern // Nov 27, 2009 at 10:31 am
Morgana,
Thanks for your timely post. I, too, am “in pain” this Thanksgiving and have been encouraged by others to feel grateful for all that I have instead of feeling the sadness of my loss. I appreciate the permission to just “be”. And, yes, I am still grateful and look forward to all the blessings and lessons that my situation brings me.
2 Biljana // Nov 29, 2009 at 3:31 pm
Morgana,
You are an amazing human being that changed my life instantly( just like my tween sister).
We all have a different kind of pain but the bottom line is what is the underneath of that pain.
Being grateful does not cost us anything, but it does give us everything.
For people who are in pain my advise is :
Pay attention to your thoughts. They lead our emotions, and emotions lead our actions.
Since I discovered “My Money Honey” my life is changing every single second, so being in huge pain I just made a choice to be kind and grateful first to myself, and than to everybody end everything that I have in my life.
I was an Optimist In Action All My Life, and as an Optimist In Action I Was Not Empowered and Inspired by My Parents, Family, or Friends.
I was primarily Inspired by My Great Teachers (from All Around the World). They are Ordinary People who Live Extraordinary Lives.
They Live What They Preach ( I Got What I Asked for, I got You as my “Money Honey” teacher).
Love and Peace Within
Biljana Vancouver BC, Canada
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