With so many lives being touched by the tragedy and
devastation in Louisiana and Mississippi, I wanted to share a
special newsletter this week from my friend and colleague, Jon
Gordon. Jon's words below encompass a message of hope and
optimism even in times of strife and uncertainly. I hope you
enjoy this special message and I encourage you to share it
with a friend.
Blessings,
-Daniel
Dealing with Devastation
This week I am reminded that teachers are found everywhere
in all situations. In a boy’s pain; in the flooded homes of
New Orleans; in a Mississippi neighborhood, in the generosity
of strangers helping strangers; and in my own heart that shows
me the way.
A woman called me this week. She and her husband were
getting separated and after talking to their children, her son
was taking it the hardest. Any one who has ever been through a
separation or divorce knows how devastating it is for
children. She went into his room to talk with him alone. With
tears streaming down his face he said, “You know Mom, this is
really hard but I’m going to try to be positive because
positive people live longer and they live happier lives.”
“Where did you hear that,” she asked? “Jon Gordon, when he
came to speak to my school last year.”
As she told me this story, my heart just melted and tears
came down my own face. This boy, who heard me speak almost a
year ago, whose pain was unbearable, was choosing to think
positively as his world was being torn apart and everything
was crashing down around him. In many ways this boy was going
through his own private hurricane Katrina. While his levies of
strength were breaking and the pain was flooding in, he was
mustering up the courage and positive energy to reinforce his
walls; to stop the flooding so he could build himself back up.
He didn’t act in denial. He accepted the situation. And he
knew he had to deal with it; with courage, with strength, with
positive energy. I only wish I could be that strong in dealing
with the devastation I see on television, in the news and in
emails from friends affected by the worst natural disaster we
have ever experienced in America.
It was only less than a week ago that I was sitting in my
hotel room in Boca Raton Florida preparing to give a seminar
as Katrina’s winds pounded against the window. Little did I
know that the winds that knocked against my room would do so
much devastation and cause so much suffering and change so
many lives. Life can and often does change on a dime.
When people ask why these things happen and “Why does God
allow this to happen,” the word that comes to me is
“Surrender.” Events like this teach us that ultimately we are
not in control. There is a power and force far greater than
us. Things happen because... things happen. We don’t always
know why, but they happen. After all, we are living on a big
giant ball of rock that is racing in outer space 67,000 miles
per hour around a great ball of fire we call the sun. If the
earth shifted on its axis or the sun burned much hotter we
wouldn’t be here. But the sun produces just the right amount
of heat and the earth spins just right so we can experience
life.
Obviously, we are here for a reason and as part of this
reason we are meant to live, work, deal with adversity, pain,
and sometimes devastation in our lives. And while this
devastation and pain sometimes bring out the worst in people
(because I believe it brings out their worst fears) more often
than not we see the power of human spirit. The same spirit
that helps a boy deal with the worst event of his life is
found in strangers giving up their houses to complete
strangers; in rescuers risking their lives to save people on
roof tops; in millions of people giving their hard earned
money to help others; in a hurricane survivor’s perseverance.
Out of tragedy and devastation we find the real meaning of
life. It’s not about beach houses, casinos, the cars we drive
or the possessions we accumulate over time. We discover that
life is simply about the human and divine connection. It’s
about our love for one another. It’s about finding the best in
ourselves when we are dealing with the worst. It is about
trusting when everything seems bleak. And it’s about realizing
that nothing is permanent and knowing that we are mere renters
on earth and everything we accumulate is merely a loan. At
some point we’ll have to let go of our possessions, our
awards, and our homes, whether it’s when we are 20, 50 or 80,
at some point they will no longer be ours. So to hold on tight
is futile.
Every challenge and devastation brings us closer to these
truths. Every painful situation and life lesson brings us
closer to our heart, where our spirit lives, where love
emanates. All roads eventually lead to the heart and I believe
this is the purpose of life. To discover our heart and know
what really matters.
I just heard from a friend whose house was in the path of
the hurricane. When I asked him what we could do and what I
should ask people to do he simply said, “Pray for us. Pray for
the refugees. Pray that we will have the strength and courage
to rebuild.” Einstein said, “We cannot solve our problems with
the same thinking we used when we created them.” I believe my
friend’s request and Einstein’s quote are one in the same. We
cannot persevere and overcome with limited, negative thinking.
We need higher level thinking and this comes in the form of
prayer, trust, compassion and positive energy.
Together we can create a powerful force of positive energy
through our higher levels of thinking. When we find ourselves
feeling depressed because of the horrific stories we hear in
New Orleans, we can say a prayer, “God, please help those who
are suffering. Help them through this difficult time.” When we
make a donation to the Red Cross, we can say, “I trust that
this money will help those who need it most and it will bless
their life in some way.” When we think about those who have
lost their homes and jobs we can send positive energy and hope
their way.
When we think about the future we can embody the spirit of
the Phoenix, who rose from the ashes, reborn, renewed and
reenergized. Just as the people of Atlanta who watched their
city be burned to the ground chose the Phoenix to symbolize
their commitment, passion and determination to rebuild their
city, we too can embody this same spirit to rebuild with
positive energy, with hope, optimism and trust. If a boy can
do it during his personal devastation we can do it amid this
collective devastation. We will always experience devastations
in our life. And positive energy will always see us through.
Sending Positive Energy Your Way,
- Jon Gordon
Jon Gordon is known as America's #1 Energy Coach. He is the
best-selling author of Energy
Addict: 101 Physical, Mental, and Spiritual Ways to Energize
Your Life. For additional information and tips to energize
your life, visit www.JonGordon.com
