August 30

”If someone is in your life, it is because they have a gift for you, and you have a gift for them.” Robert Holden, Ph.D.

I do believe, as I have always believed, that everything happens for a reason. I may have formerly attributed this to fate, or the will of the universe, but today I believe it to be the will of the God of my understanding. Regardless of what I believe, I do know that the people who are in my life are there because I have something to learn from them, and hopefully something I can share in return. I believe this to be true not only of those people who I would say have a more positive effect in my life, but equally true of the detractors. In some ways I think those that I would rather see in a negative light often have a lot more to offer to me, more that I am expected to experience and grow from while they are part of my life. I am realizing that often, if not always, the people that I seem to struggle having in my life are that way because it reflects my own defaults of character. My life is influenced by everyone around me. In turn, I too influence the lives of those who touch my own. In the past I didn’t recognize this relationship, and frankly would not likely even have cared if I had. Today, however, I am aware and that gives me a certain responsibility to try and be a positive influence in the lives of others. And to be aware when I am someone else’s detractor and work at changing that.

Affirmation We are all connected, each a player in the lives of those around us. As a child of my Higher Power, I will strive to treat all my siblings well.