Guess Who Might Be Laughing At You!
This Week's Simple Tip: We all know that death and taxes are inevitable. But there are other experiences we can also be sure will happen: Unexpected Changes, both good and bad. While we inherently know that setbacks and tragedies, as well as pleasures and successes, are part of life's ebbs and flows, we still have a tendency to respond emotionally. But such responses are futile. In fact there is even an old Yiddish adage “Mann Tracht, Un Gott Lacht” which means “Man Plans, and God Laughs.” Despite our most careful planning, life is unpredictable.
Given my schedule this week, I really needed to write my weekly newsletter on a particular day. Little did I expect to be without electricity from 10AM until 7PM that day, which was a huge impact given that I am dependent on the internet with the application I use. So I could have gone into a panic attack and wasted away the whole day. Instead I had that vision of God laughing and switched to working on things that could be accomplished without electricity, while feeling a whole new level of gratitude for something we take for granted. Without question, our best-laid plans in life will at times be upended by unexpected changes. Recognize and appreciate the "normal" periods of serenity and calm. Temper the sense of invincibility when achieving a milestone or good fortune with reality, and accept "this too shall pass" at times of sadness.
This Week's Focus:
This week, when things don't go as you had planned, envision God laughing at you! Recognize that you do not control everything, and that this too shall pass. Click on the serenity sticky to print, cut and post on your bathroom mirror to remind you of this week's focus. Good luck!
