The Gratitude Rock
Certainly, everyone that has been impacted by this experience should feel supported through personal thoughts, prayers, community spirit, social networks, and other ways that are appropriate to each individual. Clearly, none of us can do anything to change what has already happened. But what we can do to help cope with the loss and move on is to consider what we can control on our lives—how we respond. First, acknowledge your personal pain and that of those you love. If possible, be of comfort to others. Then celebrate the blessings that you do still have. Bathe yourself in gratitude for who you are and the abundance around you—friends, family, colleagues, coworkers, fellow human beings, and so on.
Once you’ve embraced your surroundings and expressed gratitude within yourself, you can then look for the learning. If you always make your learning greater than the experience, then over the long haul, your experiences ultimately become your assets. You can make deposits of learning experiences into your personal bank of life so that you and others can make withdrawals to build upon. You may not know it now, but other people in your life, including your children, grandchildren, and anyone else within your social circle and sphere of influence, will learn from you. They will make deposits from your bank of experience to learn from and to grow. It helps to record your experiences, emotions, and reactions as you learn and work through troubling times. Write them down and have them for safe keeping. When appropriate, share these memories and thoughts with others. A written record will also stand the test of time, allowing you to share your experiences even after you are gone.
So to answer the question of what does the Minnesota tragedy have in common with quadrant living, it’s this: they each give us permission to stop, reflect, and embrace what we have and acknowledge the things we can control in our lives. Quadrant living helps us to honor and capture those experiences—both good and bad—that ultimately nurture our futures.
And when we discern between the event that “happens” to us and our response to the event, we can take control.
For a moment this experience took control over you. Now, you must take that control back.
Lee Brower
Live Life Deliberately
