B-E-L-I-E-V-E

You know those little block-letter signs that say things like family, love, hope, faith, etc.?  Well, I have a nice one that spells B-E-L-I-E-V-E.  It hangs in the window of the living room.  It reminds me to keep believing that more things are right in this life than wrong.

Today I was thinking about the movie, "Phenomenon."

"George Malley (John Travolta) is a man whose life is transformed by a strange flash of light he observes on the evening of his 37th birthday. Over the course of the following days, George starts to experience an extraordinary form of genius-level intelligence, rapidly absorbing vast amounts of information, formulating new, revolutionary ideas, and even exhibiting telekinetic abilities." (from Wikipedia)

It's a great movie.  But the one thing that stands out to me over the years has been a single line.  Just a few words spoken by Nate, George's friend.  Forest Whitaker plays the part.  George is lamenting that even though he is trying to use his new power to help everyone, it just seems that everything is so difficult now.
Nate listens thoughtfully, and then quietly says, "...everyone's goin' through something."  And there it was!  The simple truth that is so often overlooked. 

You are not alone.  EVERYONE IS GOING THROUGH SOMETHING.

But, let's try to begin, today, to look at our difficulties a little differently.

For example, don't make it bigger and badder (excuse the grammar) than it really is.

Recently, a gentleman came in my store and became very upset when he discovered that the things he wanted would be on back-order status for 3 weeks. He actually said, "This is bad, Bad, BAD!  This is really bad."  The look on my face must have surprised him.  Instead of looking sympathetic,  I was thinking, "we're talking about light fixtures, not a kidney transplant."

When he finished raving, I spoke sternly to him.  I said, "Are you kidding me?  This is a minor inconvenience; nuclear war is BAD!"  He thought about it a minute, smiled and said, "you're right."

Then I directed him to another selection that was similar to the one he wanted and it was in-stock.  It was also less expensive, with all the same features and warranty!  It wasn't so bad after all.

My point is: things are often not nearly as bad as they seem at first.  Chill.  Don't overreact.  After all, the situation is most likely not terminal.  It's a minor inconvenience, that's all.

This too shall pass.  I have walked through dark places in my life that seemed impossible for things to be "right" or "normal" ever again.  But, it was temporary, not terminal.  In such situations, I am learning to believe, with all my heart, that things will get better. So, for me, the first step is to get things in the proper perspective.
 Once I do that, I always get through it more quickly.

When you are going through a tough time or situation, you need to get it off your chest.  The more you stew, the angier you'll become.  Here are your choices:
1) share it with your best friend --- this is your REAL best friend --- the one who will listen carefully without criticizing or judging, hold you while you cry, and then take the whole thing to their grave with them --- THAT friend
2) tell it to Jesus --- I probably should have said that one first, but sometimes we need Jesus to "have skin on" again; that's why we need a human friend. But, you need to tell it to the object of your absolute faith, too.  After all, if that is where your faith is, that is where the answer is, too

3) write it in a journal, then read it and re-write it (three times) --- after reading it the fourth or fifth time, you'll find that it isn't nearly as devastating as you first thought

But most importantly, never assume, as George Malley did,  that you are the only one who is going through a difficult time.  Everyone is going through something.  Be sensitive and keep things in perspective. Keep believing.

As Paul Harvey used to say..."and now, the rest of the story."  So, here it is.  As this customer was ranting about what a terrible situation this whole "back-order thing" was, there was another customer at the counter.  This dear lady has been coming in the store for the past several months, and we have become acquainted---on a first name basis now.  She comes in every month or so to pick out another fixture for her home.  And this is her story:  about a year ago she was diagnosed with breast cancer.  It was fast-moving and required a radical mastectomy.  During her recovery time it was discovered that chemo and radiation were to no avail.  Her situation was terminal.  She bravely gets up every day, puts on her make-up and beautiful blonde wig and sets about trying to prepare her dear family for the time in the near future when she will no longer be here.  And then she goes shopping.  You see, at the time of her original diagnosis, she and her husband were building their dream home near a peaceful lake.  He wanted to stop everything and travel the world.  But she wanted everything to be normal, for as long as possible.  To her, that includes finishing the house with all its appointments, and so, on the days she's feeling up to it, she does a little shopping.

How stupid the other customer would have felt had he known HER situation!  She has a right to cry, "this is bad, Bad, BAD!"  so, dear ones, get a grip.  Sort out what's really bad and what's merely a minor inconvenience.  Then believe.  Keep on believing that good things will surely come to you again. 

And if you need a shoulder to cry on..."I'm your huckleberry."

Be blessed!  It really is a wonderful life.