Have you ever prayed for something, wished for something, hoped for something, only to realize that the “something” you had been praying/wishing/hoping for had already happened for you? Did the realization completely bypass you because it didn’t come in the package you were expecting it to come in? Maybe you were looking for a colorful gift bag with festive tissue paper, but your blessing was actually in a plain paper bag?
I have to admit, when I was writing down, “be a freelance writer”, as one of my goals, I would not have expected that it would come in the form of being a writer for a regional blog! When I wanted to become a journalist years ago, I never imagined that years after I had pushed that dream away, I would become a online journalist, an iVillage iVoices reporter, reporting on stories that are important to women all across the country! I’ve always loved marketing (even majored in it for a bit in college), but never even knew about alternate forms of connecting to brands until I joined Collective Bias and learned how ordinary people like me are partnering with companies and helping them to learn how to give better services/products to other consumers! Now, I’m kind of “in” marketing!
Let’s see, what else? Oh, family! I always wanted a peaceful, loving, laughing family of my very own…although it’s not exactly the way I planned it, that’s exactly what I have with Ayva! My friends and I don’t get to spend a lot of “in person” time together, but when we get on the telephone, or when we get together, it’s just like being in high school or college again! I don’t think any of us thought that we would be living so far apart from each other, but it definitely is a blessing to know that we have such amazing friends that we don’t even have to be with each other every day to be BFF’s! And just last week, I met someone really great. I mean, like, check everything off of the “awesome guy list” great! But he lives on the other side of the country. But this post is about blessings coming in ways that we never expected, so…we’ll see what happens!
While I haven’t completely made it, just taking stock of my situation, and acknowledging my dreams that have been fulfilled, helps me to have a more keen eye for recognizing my blessings! Look at yourself, and your life closely, really closely, and don’t forget to take a peek in the paper bag or cardboard box sitting in front of you. There’s a good chance your blessing may not be all wrapped up in fancy paper with a bow, but that doesn’t mean it’s not there!
This is a great post. For whatever reason, it’s usually easier for us to see what’s wrong as opposed to what’s right. I love your positive outlook – it’s refreshing and infectious. It’s all about realizing that our perspective and what we do with our lives is up to us, so we can flip any situation into what we want it to be – if we see it that way.
I’m trying to instill this mind set into my kids EARLY so they will grow up knowing that there are hidden opportunities everywhere if they keeps their hearts and minds open. 🙂