“These are the times that try men’s souls.” Thomas Paine
Those are pearls of wisdom from 18th Century political activist Thomas Paine and are a reaction to life’s curveballs. Life’s challenges do test the spirit, and if tough enough, can make or break who you are.
Trials. You can’t live with them. You can’t live without them either. I can’t say, in all honesty, that I appreciate them; they are emotionally exhausting, and I wish, sometimes sorely, that there were other ways to learn Life’s lessons.
But I have to admit that they bring the benefits of a healthy emotional workout when you manage to get through them. I cannot say that I am grateful for them without sounding hypocritical, but I can give them full credit for pushing me beyond my boundaries and being responsible for giving me some semblance of maturity.
And this is what I am doing today. I acknowledge, fully, the trials that I have encountered this week. When I came out of the week sane, I realized what emotional barbells they are. Of course, I acknowledge the good that happened this week as well.
I prefer to get the negative news out of the way before broaching the positive, so I begin by being thankful for the downsides of this week.
I met a few blogging pitfalls this week, what with a client reneging on payment and making unreasonable demands. While I cannot honestly say “Kumbaya” that it happened, I do appreciate that it taught me a lesson in patience, and perhaps focus.
On the subject of concentration, there are my memory and attention difficulties, which accompanied my brain tumor removals. I have always ranked this among the trials in life which are hard to appreciate but do so for the resilience they bring.
Then, there was my Schnauzer Misty’s CLD (Chronic Liver Disease). Her enlarged liver caused her breathing difficulties. Apart from having to pay a humongous bill from the vet, I have had to change her diet. It means more time spent at the kitchen stove, but I am glad that my “marriage dog” of 15 years is hale and hearty. The situation was so dire that I almost had to choose to euthanize her, a choice every pet owner dreads.
Next, parents. Like all souls, they have their “off” days and have ways that sometimes cause my blood pressure levels to reach another astral plane. That said, they have never left me wanting for anything, and by all accounts, have always brought out the best in me.
Rainy days in tropical Singapore, no matter how dark, turn out sunny, and serene. Each thundercloud has an elusive silver lining, though you have to strain your eyes to see it. There are always the”ups” even if they appear blurry.
I am glad to have a background in English and Literature, which has helped a lot in writing. I find myself writing marketing articles most of the time, and am thankful for language skills to tap on when I need an edge.
There is my husband, who is always an up. The man may have a short temper, but is frighteningly steadfast, and always has an eye out for others. He is my sanity when I go nuts.
This list ends with writing clients who trust me enough to remain steadfast. I am thankful for them and the opportunities they have given me.
Life throws us both straight and curved balls. However they arrive, just play tennis.
Your hosts
Join the Ten Things of Thankful Facebook Group
Feeling Thankful With Getting Literal 
September 10, 2016 at 12:04 pm
You have written with true purpose in this post – finding ways to be grateful and learning from the situations that are most challenging.
LikeLike
September 10, 2016 at 12:16 pm
Tough week Michelle! You are such a trooper! Glad to hear misty is improving! My vet thinks a homemade diet is what kept skip going to 17…. Long happy life to her!!
LikeLike
September 10, 2016 at 2:52 pm
Giving credit where credit is due….even when that credit belongs to hardships we would rather avoid. You are so right. It all comes together to make us who we are. Really moving post.
LikeLike
September 10, 2016 at 7:48 pm
good TToT post… because as we know, life is not all of one thing (bad or good) it is a bunch of things and it is how we deal with them that makes a difference (to us and to others). and the other thing about the TToT is that allows the rest of us see how you manage to deal with the negatives in your life (which, in the final analysis is not that different from mine) and benefit from the positives (which is always a good thing to witness).
LikeLike
September 10, 2016 at 8:12 pm
Sounds like quite a week! It isn’t always easy to learn life’s lessons, that’s for sure.
LikeLike
September 12, 2016 at 6:07 pm
You have a plateful, that’s for sure! I love your points about life’s lessons though, and how trying times help us to learn and grow. Been thinking a lot about that lately myself. It’s difficult to see any benefit in the midst of trial, but as sure as the sun rises, there will be a resolution. Have a great week, Michelle!
LikeLike
September 15, 2016 at 1:04 am
Oh, my goodness, Michelle, you’ve had quite a time! And I thought I had a lousy week. Hope your pupper is doing better. Our pets are such a huge part of our lives and it’s so difficult when they’re ill, especially when you have to make those hard decisions.
Glad you found some silver linings in your week, in spite of everything.
LikeLike
September 17, 2016 at 1:11 pm
I can’t see those balls coming at me in life, be they straight or curved, but I manage not to be knocked out cold by them most of the time. Lovely sentiments. I avoided having to make that difficult choice for my sweet guide dog ten years ago nearly, but I felt a little cowardly in the end, when she went on her own after likely suffering some for a while first. I hope I didn’t make her pay too dearly, but animals are precious and it is our responsibility to be there for them.
Well done with the writing clients, even the difficult ones, and the lessons learned from working to demand. Such an accomplishment.
LikeLike