To listen to and watch the video presentation of the article, click on this link: Traumatic Brain Injury and a Message of Hope for Parents Video Presentation Episode 355
Last night I attended a support group meeting.
When the time came for me to share I shared several lessons that have helped me.
As the discussion began I heard parents share about their sadness concerning the hope and dreams they had for their children.
As the discussion proceeded around the circle, I listened and was encouraged by what each member shared with the group.
When my turn came to share I felt impressed to share what I have learned through my process.
I had to learn life lessons and many of those lessons came through discouragement and disappointment.
I discovered that it just takes what it takes for me to learn the lesson.
In my experience, I had to reach a “bottom” (both spiritually and emotionally) before I became willing to make healthy and empowering choices for myself.
Choices that my parents and family did not understand at the time.
Lessons Learned
I do not have the BIG Picture
Don’t focus on a “snapshot” or on “snapshots” in time
When I focus on “snapshots” in time the future may seem bleak and limited. When I focus on “snapshots in time” I may find myself wanting to “throw in the towel” and give up on life.
However, when I remember that more will be revealed with time, I am encouraged by hope.
Being Encouraged by Hope
I am reminded that the big picture will come into view as I do the footwork and continue to trust the process and a loving God. I am reminded that my circumstances are meant to teach me lessons, to prepare me for opportunities. Lessons and opportunities that may not make sense now, but will make perfect sense in time.
I am reminded that my destiny is being revealed “in time” one day at a time.
My Encouragement to You as I Need to Remember
My encouragement to you, my friend is to not focus on the snapshots of your life, nor on the snapshots of your children’s lives. Do the footwork (as you feel led) and trust that more will be revealed to both you and to your children.
Trust the process. Trust a loving God.
Trust that you will and your children will get what they need.
Lesson Learned through my Experience
By accepting that I do not have the big picture, I can let go of the outcomes. I can trust the process.
I speak from years of experience. Many, many times I have encountered baffling circumstances as an individual with an invisible disability – before I knew that such a disability existed. Living during those times seemed to be a gauntlet of experiences that led to a series of disappointments and discouragement.
Little did I know or realize that I needed to learn those lessons (disappointments and discouragement) to be able to move forward with my life.
I now realize that apart from the lessons I learned through those struggles, I would not have been prepared to live the life that I imagined.
What I did not know then; when I was encountering those disappointments and discouragement; I now know were preparing me to fulfill my destiny.
“If you advance confidently in the direction of your dreams and endeavor to live the life that you have imagined…you will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.” Henry David Thoreau
Final Thoughts
Be encouraged my Friend. More will be revealed to both you and your children with time.
The pieces of the puzzle of your experience will fit together at the right time and in the right place.
As I need to remember; daily, keep doing the footwork (as you feel led) and trust that more will be revealed to both you and your children (no matter what their age) in time.
Lessons Learned
Over the past 50 years I have learned several lessons that have helped me. I have created a page to share these lessons.
To access these lessons, click on this link: Lessons Learned
You have my permission to share my articles and or video presentations with anyone you believe could benefit, however, I maintain ownership of the intellectual property AND my articles, video presentations and eBooks are not to be considered OPEN SOURCE. Please also provide a link back to Second Chance to Live. In the event that you have questions, please send those questions to me. All questions are good questions. I look forward to hearing from you. More Information: Copyright 2007 -2018.
You are a blessing, thank you for what you have created here. It is so helpful and so meaningful. Thank you, thank you.
Hi Mark,
Thank you, Sir. Please feel free to share the article. If you are not aware, I have a list of resources that are free to use and share. Here is a link to these resources: https://secondchancetolive.org/resources-available-second-chance-live/. As you look over these resources and questions come to mind, please send those questions to me. All questions are good questions and welcomed. Thank you, Sir. Have a great day. God bless you and your family, Mark. Craig