I love this poem. Whenever I’m feeling put upon by life, I glance over it. I am reminded that everything, no matter what it is, is an opportunity to learn.

Many years ago, I was going through a very difficult period in my life and I clearly remember how I DIDN’T want to feel. I didn’t want to feel like a victim because I knew that would affect my emotional well-being and close me off to future possibilities. So, I said to myself, “every time I start to feel badly or question why this is happening, I am going to substitute it with: what am I meant to learn from this?”

Essentially, that simple yet challenging reframe empowered me. It was NOT meant as a way to avoid the understandable emotions that I was feeling but, rather, as a way to avoid getting stuck in those emotions. Time and time again, it put me into a position of looking for the pearl of wisdom that I could internalize vs the pain that could quickly infiltrate my thoughts and emotions. Was I always successful? NO … not at all. However, even when I  wasn’t, I still felt empowered because I was trying and trying is action.

What meaning might you find in a difficult situation you are facing right now?