That most American of holidays has arrived. And, even though
the merchants would have us believe that holiday is Christmas, it’s actually
Thanksgiving.
In many homes throughout the country, the day will be
celebrated in the grand tradition of feasting, football and family feuds! Others
will pause to reflect on the blessings they enjoy, for even though this country
is broken in many ways, it is still uniquely blessed, especially materially.
Perhaps you’re finding it difficult to be thankful this
year, either because of the deep divisions and seemingly insurmountable
problems which surround us, or because of personal or family problems.
At the risk of sounding a bit unhinged, I’d like to suggest
that you give thanks for those very problems. A life devoid of problems sounds,
at first blush, ideal. However, a life without challenges is also one without
opportunities for growth, for change, and for becoming your true self. Just
like a well-written novel, a well-lived life needs to have problems and
problems overcome.
If you’re old enough, you can look back over your life and
reflect on the most meaningful times. Almost certainly, those times will be the
ones during which you struggled and ultimately overcame a problem. Perhaps it
was in the early years of your marriage when you were financially struggling
and worried about providing for your family. But as you and your partner worked
together to better your economic position, you felt empowered because you were
working together for an unselfish purpose. And it’s hard to beat that feeling
of accomplishment when you persevered and overcame your problem.
Or perhaps you can look back at a time when you overcame a
personal problem such as an illness or a failed relationship. Any of these
problems can break you, but they can also “make” you. The difference often
depends on your attitude and your willingness to see problems as opportunities.
“My calamity is My providence,” says Baha’u’llah, “outwardly
it is fire and vengeance, but inwardly it is light and mercy. Hasten thereunto
that thou mayest become an eternal light and an immortal spirit. This is My
command unto thee, do thou observe it.”
At another place in Baha’i Scripture, we find the following,
“The mind and spirit of man advance when he is tried by suffering. The more the
ground is plowed, the better the seed will grow, the better the harvest will be
. . .”
The “harvests” of facing and overcoming our personal
“calamities” are many. Among them are both spiritual and intellectual growth
and the development of wisdom, patience and empathy.
Today, when counting your blessings, don’t forget to count
your problems among them!
Nancy Flood-Golembeck is a retired teacher and longtime
member of the Baha’i Faith. In addition to serving on the local Baha’i
governing body, she is currently writing a memoir.
This article appears in Springfield grapples with increased crime.
