A Reminder from Gandhi

Here's a reminder that our lives matter everyday and we can be the spark that ignites that change in others.

I love this story about Gandhi and how to deal with losses in our lives. And these days we’re all experiencing losses in some form as a result of the economic downturn, including me.

The story goes something like this: Gandhi stepped onto a train one day and one of his shoes fell off and landed on the track.

He was unable to retrieve it because the train had started rolling. To the dismay of his companions, Gandhi calmly took off his other shoe and threw it out onto the track where it landed close to his first shoe.

When asked by a fellow passenger why he did that Gandhi replied, 'when a poor man finds my shoe lying on the track he will now have a pair that he can use.' How can you use this story to your benefit?

The past 2 years have left our country in a state of loss and anxiety. Every day we hear of more people losing their jobs, their homes, their possessions, and even their families due to the stress. Everyone talks about the tragedies instead of the triumphs. Everyone talks about their losses instead of having gratitude for what they have.

I’ve reflected, as have many others, on the fact that we are all facing these problems in unity. Yes, there are still many who have not been adversely impacted. But, the majority have been deeply and painfully affected and it is bringing us all to our knees in many ways.

I am making the choice, in spite of my own major obstacles and losses over the past two years, to be grateful for the good in my life. I am making the choice to still “give back”. I am making the choice to have faith that there is a silver lining. I am making the choice to keep my family together and to tighten our bond instead of destroy it. I am making the choice to discover wealth in my financial losses.

I am making the choice to throw my other shoe out onto the track for someone even less fortunate than me to enjoy… what choices are YOU making during difficult times that will become the most incredible life-altering events that you’ll look back on and cherish?