I recently spent some time in Florida with my family visiting Sea World.

It was here that we saw a phenomenal Dolphin Show.

There was so much going on in this show from trapezists, to high divers, to amazing dolphin tricks, to trained parrots flying around the stadium, I was not only completely entertained, but I was continuously amazed that they managed to get these wild animals to cooperate so well.

Yes, we all love it when people, animals, and life cooperates with us, don’t we?

It makes for a pretty show and a peaceful life.

But, you know what?

We learn the most when things don’t cooperate with us, when things really don’t go our way.

When things go “wrong”, like an illness, the loss of a job, something challenging happens to your kids, it’s then people feel pain, frustration and sadness.

This pain can (if someone chooses) be an awakening to learn more, grow and eventually move past whatever originally created pain for them.

In the end they create a happier, more meaningful life.

How can you do this?

By embracing that which doesn’t seem to be cooperating for you in your life.

Think for a moment, do you have something in your life that’s creating pain and frustration for you?

Rather then look at it as an annoyance, look at it as a “gift”.

Your pain and frustration has something to show you, it’s telling you something.

Take time to hear what it’s telling you- maybe to: slow down, worry less about work or $ and more about your health, or maybe it’s to spend more time with your family, or maybe it’s quite simply to let go of perfection, or to allow yourself to let things be by letting go of controlling everything…

So find the message that pain and frustration is communicating to you.

Find it, and begin to take baby steps toward your goal of overcoming this pain.

As you do, you’ll notice pain, frustration and sadness fade, and are smoothly replaced with happiness and joy!

Much a nicer way to live- isn’t it?!!

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I had a tricky morning today with my sons.

Well actually it was beyond tricky, if I was judging it (and believe me earlier this morning when I was in the thick of things I was “judging” it!)

So, when I was judging my situation, I thought of it as an outright “horrible” situation.

I won’t get into all of the details, I’d prefer to focus on the positive, but I will quickly summarize with this: lots of non- cooperation and listening and outright anger from my youngest son today.

So, I take a step back (sometimes easier to do once things blow over…) I look to see what I can learn from this.

With the understanding that everyone around me is a mirror for what I think and believe, either consciously or unconsciously, I know that somewhere in my thinking (or unconscious) I can be more cooperative and listen more, ah, and yes, even less angry.

I very much consider myself to be a calm, kind person by nature.

But, guess what?

I’m like everyone else in the world, I possess ALL traits: happy, sad, angry, silly, intelligent, strong, vulnerable…and so on…

I quickly scan my life, where am I like this?

I sometimes I do this to myself.

Sometimes I get angry with myself or I don’t listen to myself when I say I’m going to go to bed early, or I forget to do for ME, taking special time for just me!

I guess at times I can be non-cooperative with myself.

Certainly I’ve gotten enormously better with this, but obviously there is still room to grow.

So, I see where this comes from.

It’s a reminder to continue to help myself, let go of anger with myself, once I do this whole heartedly, I know this “stuff” I’m seeing with my youngest son will dissipate.

I guarantee it!

I know, because I’ve seen it in action before.

I stay on track, take care of myself with sleep, exercise, good food, time for myself.

And then, my family is magically transformed.

Sound crazy?

It’s not!

It’s completely true, and a very significant idea to remember and follow.

Next time something uncomfortable happens in your life, rather then allowing yourself to be a victim to what happened, step up and think where you can learn something about yourself.

What do you see in this uncomfortable circumstance that mirrors something you feel or see within YOU!

Try this and watch your life head in an amazing new direction, one where all things GOOD are yours!!

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