Miracles in Disguise: How the worst things that happen to you can become some of the best

“There are two ways to live: you can live as if nothing is a miracle; you can live as if everything is a miracle.”

~ Albert Einstein

I’ve worked with a handful of clients who unexpectedly lost their jobs after working for over twenty years with the same company. The funny thing is that these people knew they were ready for something greater before it happened. In our coaching meetings, they would often talk about wanting to strike out in new directions, take on bigger challenges, live and lead in a deeper and bolder ways than before. And few of them would have likely sought out new opportunities if things hadn’t worked out the way they did.

In the midst of the changes, it’s likely that they felt as though their universes were falling apart. Much of what was familiar was coming to a close as they were thrust into a world where nothing was certain and forced to begin again. They were brought face to face with the question, “what do I most want for myself now?” and challenged to take action that would lead them in new directions.

More and more it seems people are asking that question with fervor – “What do I most want for myself now?” Some feel they are ready for new adventures. Others long for deeper connections with people. Many just want to experience the same passion for their work and their lives that they did when they were younger – to feel a part of something bigger than themselves – to work at something worth working for, and to bring more of their true talent and gifts into the world.

And the world needs those talents and gifts more now than ever. When we come to a place where we are willing to truly open ourselves up to that question of what we most want – we set into motion a series of events that allow us to move closer to the answers we seek. And sometimes they come in packages that we didn’t anticipate and don’t immediately appreciate.

But as we look back on our lives, we can begin to see that the very things that frustrated and pushed us to our limits were exactly what we needed to be able to know more about who we are and what we are here to do.

As I reflect on the myriad of disappointments I’ve experienced over the course of my life, I have begun to appreciate them and even become grateful for them. I recall jobs and promotions I thought I wanted more than anything that would have kept me from experiences that allowed me to get to where I am now. I remember times in my life where it seemed the bottom had dropped out that stripped me to my core and required me be honest with myself. And I also recall people who pushed my buttons, irritated or challenged me in one way or another that led me to exercise
courage, patience, tolerance – and in some cases assertiveness – that I needed to develop in myself.

As Thanksgiving nears, in addition to being grateful for all the many blessings in my life, I find myself grateful for my unanswered prayers – the ones that would have had me going in a direction that wouldn’t have served me or others in quite the same way. I am grateful for the difficult people in my life, who have challenged me to look at things (including myself) differently and find new ways of relating. I thank God for the trials I didn’t think I could endure and the resilience and courage I was able to tap into because of them. And I am grateful that over time I have been able to laugh at the things that happen to me as well as all the people who have been there (or somewhere similar before) who have laughed (and sometimes cried) right along with me.

I am grateful for every client I have ever worked with who has given me the opportunity to learn from their experiences – to see one more example of the strange and wonderful ways that miracles manifest themselves in everyday life. 

I wish for you – and myself – the ability to always appreciate the blessings that always surround us – the ones that lift us up as well as the ones that seem to strike us down. And to open ourselves up to the ways in which every one of them has the transformational power to bring us closer to our most precious dreams and visions.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.

Arrow picture by ntwowe from FreeDigitalPhotos.net.