Balance. Purpose. Enlightenment.
Things Our Life Misses
I just got off the phone with the Dean of Instruction, and I was fuming.
The job I wanted – a job I had been doing unofficially for three years – had just been given to the other finalist.
The Dean said it had been a difficult decision as the two of us had very similar qualifications, but the other finalist had a little more experience with the software we would be using so they gave her the job.
I’d been working as a part-time instructor in a college lab, and since there was no full-time instructor, I had been running it myself. My supervisor often praised me for going above and beyond my normal duties, and everyone assumed I’d get this new position. But I didn’t and I was bummed! All kinds of negative thoughts rampaged through my mind, keeping me upset and annoyed at this ingratitude after all I felt I had done for the college.
Next day I was still upset and didn’t like this feeling. So I had a serious talk with myself. After 24 hours of feeling sorry for myself, the “pity party” needed to stop. I needed to get a grip. I had been studying the Lemurian Philosophy for years and knew it held the means for me to turn this around.
First, I believe all things happen for our greatest good. Hadn’t I gone into each interview wanting to succeed, but also wanting whatever was for my greatest good? Second, while only time would allow me to understand why this position was not the best for me, now I needed to turn my thoughts away from myself and think about others. Doing this – being selfless instead of selfish – could help me overcome my negative emotions.
I thought about what a difficult phone call it must have been for the Dean to make. Yet, she was kind and thoughtful, thanking me for all I’d done for the college and hoping I would continue with my present teaching assignment. I knew such a call would have been very hard for me to make. So I decided to write her of my gratitude for her kindness. And doing this changed my negative feelings into positive ones and helped me feel better.
About two months later, a new opportunity came along and I realized not having a full-time job gave me time to work on things that were more important to me. And later, I had the chance to talk to the instructor who got the job, and as I listened to all the challenges she was running into, I could see clearly how all things did work out for my greatest good. That’s when I thought of the lines from an old poem:
And sometimes the things our life misses
Help more than that which it gets.
– Nobility by Alice Carey
Copyright © 2016 Lemurian Fellowship
9 thoughts on “Things Our Life Misses”
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I was especially touched by the thought that sometimes we can’t see the reasons for things until later. It’s hard for me to trust that. This person really took the high road by writing her thanks to the dean.
This story reminds me that things do regularly work out for the best in the end – especially if we have faith and employ a fine attitude! I’m thinking that we may not always be able to see the full truth of this at the time – but by demonstrating faith, virtue and good responses, as so beautifully shown in this example – its almost like we’re magically lifted to the next positive experience.
I agree with Chris. It is very difficult for me to know that everything will work out for the best. Yet, on those occasions when I do accept this, no matter the circumstances, a peaceful feeling settles over me. It’s almost like a curtain closes over the negative aspects of my circumstances. Good for the instructor because she took things into her own hands in a positive way!
The Dalai Lama may have put it best when he said, “Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.” At the time we feel only disappointment, and it takes time to see the event in true perspective.
This reveals why the Elder Brothers have always told us that we are not currently in the position to see the true perspectives of things and situations. It calls for humility for us to set aside what we conceive to be favorable and allow the Great Ones to arrange things as they know to be for the greatest good of all.
As Lemurians we are generally the type of people who tend grab the tiller and steer our oun course, so the challenge of balancing that with our faith that everything works out for the best of all concerned, is likely to demand our attention. At least in my foreseeable future!
Sometimes when you are focused on your own life and affairs, it is hard to see the “best good of all concerned”. Concentrating on the positive aspects of your situation took much tolerance and forbearance!
What a wonderful lesson in life, one that has been repeated in my life on numerous occasions. Had I gotten this or that opportunity that I thought I wanted or deserved, I would not live the life I do today. This present life is so dear to me that I wouldn’t change a single “lost” opportunity in the past.
Well said. Sounds similar to my life. Looking back, I’m glad I didn’t get certain job positions that at the time I considered ideal. The positions I did get, including my current one, have been greatly fulfilling and have allowed me to contribute to my field and have given me opportunities for personal growth in a number of ways.