The Good and Bad

Yesterday was like a “Be Thankful” day.  I was trying to look at everything from a thankfulness point of view.
What I did not like was that that is easy when things are going well or as expected.  It was a different story for me though when it was harder.  When things came up that goaded me.  When things came up that had always elicited a response of grumbling rather than thanks depite the thing.
Oh I knew stuff I did not necessarily like would do me good no matter if I needed to fight my way through it, or accept it and make the best of it because I could not change anything.
I saw though I could change one thing.  The storms that came through Brisbane for example.  I could grumble until they went away (though the rain was nice) or I could have a different attitude while they were around.
I knew a different attitude was best for me.  I do not like storms.  I am always glad when they have gone by.  I do remember my bro years ago mowing and a storm was virtually in top of us.  A pile of us were urging him to come in but he would not listen.  I remember thinking “well if he is going to go I am going to go with him” and joining him.  He came in at that point.
But how could I remain thankful when things did not look good.  When things were happening I would have not orchestrated if it were my call.
I regard the lesson learned as valuable.  I saw more clearly than ever that thankfulness is very much a trust thing.  I cannot pretend to like stuff that happens, but despite what happens I know that it can be made valuable.
I remember hearing a story that went something like a farmer’s son went to help his dad on the farm.  The neighbour said “that’s good.”  The son broke his leg which put him out of action until it healed.  The neighbour said, “that’s bad.”   The king was raising an army and came by the house.  The son with the broken leg was rejected and stayed.  The neigbour said “that’s good.”
The point for me, (and it came back to me) was that the way I perceive something to be is not necessarily the way it is.  While no matter what the circumstance I will do all I can to alleviate suffering, what it does in me depends on me.
If I grumble and gripe there is a good chance I will miss reaping a reward from it.  If on the other hand I remain open to lessons that are good for me, I can reap a benefit beyond my wildest dreams.
There is stuff I will never like.  But there is nothing that is useless.  I am thankful.