By Lois Hewitt

What do you do when things are not going your way?

The old me would have thrown fits and complained to everyone I saw. The old me did not understand that life has a way of throwing you off course. Life has a way that seems very unfair.

Oh how I hated when things turned upside down for me.  I never thought I deserved it. I never understood why it was happening to me.  I was totally unprepared for the realities of life.

It took decades to figure it out to some degree. It’s not always just about me. I always talk about a bigger picture. That is what I could never see before.

So how does cancer, for example, fall into the bigger picture. I honestly have no idea. But from the beginning I’ve said that this cancer isn’t about me as much as it’s about what God is doing through me.

Fair?  Maybe not but who am I to question God. Who am I to say that someone else won’t be touched by my diagnosis?  I don’t know the plan but now I know I am part of it. 

What lessons have I learned from the easy times?  Let’s see, none.  In fact, for me anyway, the good times set me back a bit. I wish it wasn’t that way but truth be told I forget God when the times are good.  I rely on myself and that is NEVER a good thing.

So the curveballs of life keep me centered and grounded.  They allow me to look up and see God.  I use the not-so- great times to learn about myself and new ways to cope.  It is here I learn to become a better human being.

Oh cocky I can be when the suns always out.  Arrogant I am when I think I have it all figured out. Not a great person am I when I think I’m a great person.

These times, like now, show me what steps I need to take, show me humility and gratitude, and show me where I can help others.  Things that elevate humanity, not drag it through the mud.

The difficult times, I wish on no one, can be some of the best times as far as growth goes.  I seem to grow better and deeper under pressure. The vice grip that is life’s struggles, hone my humanity, hone my empathy and hone my ties to God.

So what do I do now when things don’t go my way?  I cry, I won’t lie. It is still difficult. But when the tears dry, I take action.  I research and I learn. I question and I’m thankful.

The curveballs are meant to change your consciousness not to fully get you lost in the weeds. But to see things beyond your immediate sight. To feel things beyond the surface. To look for pieces of the bigger picture.

Sometimes our situation seems locked into place. You may struggle in one place for a while but the situation will change eventually. Then you will be able to look back and see those things that were not in your direct sight. To see further than you could when you were in the middle of it.

Some days things look bleak, especially when they aren’t going your way…i know what that’s like. You have to trust that things will change, that it is most likely not going to be as bad as you imagine it to be and open your heart to receive the blessings you cannot even imagine.

Blessings. They do come in the dark times and they are usually the sweetest. If things are upside down for you right now, try focusing on what you can learn from this, how you can grow and how you can change.

Change your outlook and the forecast seems brighter. Hang in, as the pieces fall into place.  It is not easy but it is possible.