Livin 4.... sorry, I had not read your post in detail, nor did I reply. Thank you for your input... Here are some reflections...
Quote:
'God doesn't give you more than you can handle.'
Ya know, I do believe this mostly. I do have some challenges with this concept. I had a relative die last year. That disease was more than he could handle. Perhaps my perspective is too narrow. Maybe it was his time to go. Maybe God had a bigger plan than this life here on earth. I honestly dont know.
Yet, the "mostly" that I do agree with is similar to what you mention...
Quote:
But then I think about it. Thru everything I have been thru, especially the last year, I've had some very dark times. But the lessons I have learned from them are huge. If I had not been thru those times, I wouldn't have these lessons. I would still be making the same mistakes over and over again.
This is so amazingly true in my life. And frankly, had I not gone through those times, I too would be stuck in my old thinking and not have what I have today in my life. Namely... an amazing wife, and amazing job, improving relationships with all of my family members, and freedome from anxiety, depression, and moodiness that I have had my whole life.
I had to hit such a painful bottom in my dark days that I was desparate enough to try a new way of living and thinking. For me, my old thinking took me to booze and drugs. I pretty much lost everything including house, career, almost lost my kids, and lost tons of money.
Yet, with just a few years of sobriety and recovery under my belt, things are so incredibly good compared to where they were. I have an amazing new wife for whom I can be a far better husband than I was in my first M. I have a far more honest and meaningful R with my kids than I ever did. I can relate to my family so much better. I actually know what serenity means! And it aint all about the money but I changed careers after over a decade in a fabulous profession and managed to pick off a very prosperous first year in my new profession. And this year certainly isnt bad considering we are believed to be in an economic meltdown.
So I am right there with ya. In AA, we have a saying... "Our program will not get us our life back that we lost. It gets us a brand new one. Better than what we had".
Not necessarily meaning we gain everything back. I have not gained the net worth back yet and may never. But I have something I never had. Serenity. And out of this serenity, I am free to be productive in every area of my life. Instead of being all twisted, preoccupied, depressed, and anxious in every moment.
So I guess I am serene with a lower net worth. I'll take this combination any day.
