Small Wonders by Barbara Gillett Saunders, Grief Counsellor Thanatologist Have you ever taken the time to analyze the events in your life and then wondered how you made it through the tough times? Sometimes, the tough times include grief and loss. There are, inevitably, small wonders in the tough times.
STOP staring out the window or looking at the floor; perhaps it could be a small wonder for someone else. Smile, say good morning to a stranger or a neighbour; put a jump in your step and see the small wonders all around you. I like the quote by Tom Robbins: ‘When we accept small wonders, we qualify ourselves to imagine great wonders’ . Ponder that quote for a moment and read it over again. Sometimes, it is difficult to picture or believe good things can happen to or for us, but that is the point of small wonders. There is a belief that where you put your focus and attention determines what comes toward you. If you always focus on ‘my life sucks’ --- it will suck. If you start to focus on and invite love, joy and happiness into your life, then that is what will start to happen. Keep in mind you cannot ask for all the goodness in the world, and then counter-act it by saying something such as, ‘Well, that will never happen for me’. Small wonders can start with you being the change you want to see in the world. Give it a try. Start small and see what happens next. Hometown St. Thomas June 2024 cover Filling up on local goodness at the Horton Market. Photo by Geoff Rae
Small wonders can add up to big accomplishments. Although they may go unnoticed at the time, upon reflection at a later date, you notice the importance of the small things in life. The important things can be different for each person. The experience of grief and loss can bring helping hands from a friend or words of encouragement from a stranger. Sometimes, the lowest moments in life end up having the greatest impact on who you become in the future. Life losses and events provide the opportunity for change, perhaps moving to a new location, meeting new people, going back to school as an adult and changing your whole life for the better. An invite out for supper may lead to a conversation and an introduction to a new person who leads to the job you always wanted. If you had a magic crystal ball, you could see how small wonders work in your life and how small wonders work in the lives of others. Set aside fear, procrastination and what-ifs, and take a chance to be a different and better you. After dealing with some types of losses, you are forever changed anyway.
Hometown St. Thomas
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All articles written by Geoff Rae unless otherwise noted. Copy Editor – Peter Bloch-Hansen Publisher – Barb Botten barb@villagerpublications.com Graphic Artist – Cathy Wood We look forward to hearing from you. Copyright @ 2015 Villager Publications. All rights reserved. This magazine or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the Publisher. Information presented has been compiled from sources believed to be accurate at the time of printing however the Publisher assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions. Geoffrey Rae Managing Editor / Sales Geoff@villagerpublications.com • 519-495-7177
Page 44 Hometown St. Thomas • June 2024
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