Win or lose?

I was golfing yesterday with my son. it was good to have this quality time with him and the older I get the more precious such moments seem. Having said that we nevertheless competed against each other in earnest with no give and take. The game was decided on the very last hole with almost the very last stroke of a ball. 

Live brings us so many moments of getting and losing. it is how we learn to cope with these moments that make us what we are.

When William Sangster, the famous preacher, was told he was dying of progressive muscular atrophy, he made four resolutions and faithfully kept them: 

I will never complain; 

         I will keep the home bright; 

      I will count my blessings; 

      I will try to turn it to gain.

When Beethoven discovered that his hearing could not be saved and he would soon hear not a sound he continued to compose some of his best ever music. With all distractions shut out, melodies flooded in on him as fast as his pen could write them down. His deafness became a great asset. 

It sounds insincere to make light comments about what often seem tragic moments. But there is much to be said for making the most that we can from even the greatest of what often seems like a disaster. 

A friend was looking really miserable and downcast as she spoke of her daughter. 

For years she had cared for a crippled daughter who brought great joy to her life. She made tea for her each morning, then left for work, knowing that in the evening the daughter would be there when she arrived home.

But the daughter had died, and the grieving mother was alone and miserable. The home was not "home" anymore. The answer came in a change of attitude.

When she got home and put the key in the door, she said softly in her inner voice. 

I know You are here you may be gone but you are here with me. As ignited the fire she would tell her what has happened during the day; if anybody had been kind, she told her, if anybody had been unkind she shared good thoughts for that person.

Before she went to bed she quietly said her daughter's name and felt her in her inner being.

After some time her face radiated joy instead of announcing misery. She had learned to let go and rejoice in what they had shared. 

She became a strength to many facing a similar loss and to my knowledge does so even now.

It is not the winning or the losing but the way we see it.

Have a great day.