Grabbing Karma

Life is full of coincidences.

Two friends I hadn’t heard from in a long time reached out to me last week. It was completely random. Through conversation, one said she wished she could look at life the way I do, and the other questioned how to be in touch with her inner-self and gain a sense of spirituality. She didn’t want a go to church perspective, and instead a peace of mind, an inner peace, if you will.

I was floored.

We don’t always know how others see us and when you are comfortable in your own skin, it doesn’t always matter, does it? For kicks, I tried to picture myself in some yoga pose on a rock in Sedona and set that image aside. I definitely don’t operate that way, and I don’t offer advise, because what is right for me might not be right for someone else. However, I do take gifts of trust seriously.  And I know how to do that well. Very well.

It is called listening. 

Truth is I had to take a deep breath while I thought about the challenges life has brought us.  A surgery in December, my dad’s stroke a week later, six months of PT for me, six days a week for him, two great friends battling cancer, and of course the yoyo of everyday life.  It kind of wears you out.

I went and sat outside for a bit. How do I respond when I am treading water myself?

And I realized the same reason my friends reached out to me, is the same reason I leave the house with a smile every. single. day. I accept that everything in our path is simply our journey, and how I grab it is up to me. The tough stuff makes me appreciate the good, and the good teaches us what we cherish.

What we discussed was no ones business, and in fact, one just needed a sounding board, a place to vent, and dream.

Don’t we all?

Interestingly enough, what they didn’t know was that their notes were unexpected irony with impeccable timing.  You see last week also presented another challenge that threatened the character of my children, and while I didn’t question my reaction to the situation, because I knew it was the right thing to do, my reaction was out of character for me.

And at the end of the day, I am ok.  I believe you stand up for what you believe in, and love for family is unconditional. So while I may have set grace aside for a moment, there is good in knowing common ground, and understanding.  But most important, we collect tears from those needing to know they are loved and supported, and we embrace karma.

I believe in karma.

And while I believe we all have good and bad karma, good karma gracefully landed in my lap when I needed it the most.  So…while my friends were searching for direction in their lives, I found my direction, my karma, in them. They remind me to stay humble. They remind me that life is about those who surround me, and life is about trusting the person looking back at you in the mirror.

But over the weekend….a store front and a sign offered yet, another reminder.

Coincidence? You decide.

Wind Kisses, Donna

Forgiving Fridays