Life's Jigsaw - Character

Life is like a jigsaw puzzle. Each little piece is an aspect of our journey through it. And when at last we find that last piece and fit it into place, we eventually see the meaning of this life.

UBC Day 3
The C piece - Character

All things in life must balance, so when we receive blessings, we should also be prepared for some rough moments too.

But the rough or difficult moments are great teachers.

And it is in those moments that our true strength of character shows.

Some years ago someone at work abused and insulted me. She was a powerful lady with a lot of clout. Obviously I had no chance against her and luckily for me the project got cancelled and so I left.

At a moment like that it is very easy to either play the victim or behave in a similar manner. But that would not have helped me in any way.

I was quite dejected and it took a while for me to get back on my feet again. The women had shattered my confidence but not my dignity, not my self respect and not the respect of others towards me as I behaved professionally and graciously toward her. I could look at her, but she couldn't look at me. I left with my head held high with the best wishes of my managers and workmates some of whom I still keep in touch with.

Friends told me I should take action against her and the managers who stood by and did nothing. But revenge only keeps that cycle of karma going for what goes around then comes around. There is no escape as that is the law of the Universe. Besides which, when karma and God are sweet revenge why bother taking on that additional burden!

I did however tell those managers that I did not accept their silence as that only condoned her actions, but I did understand their reason for it.

As all things must balance, the difficult times are then neutralised by blessings and so the benevolent Universe soothed and comforted me by bringing to me some awesome jobs and wonderful managers and workmates.

Adversity builds character.

I'm a better person as a result of that incident.

"You express the truth of your character with the choice of your actions"

 ~ Steve Maraboli

Written for: A to Z Challenge and The Ultimate Blogging Challenge


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Warm Regards

Adversity is a catalyst

Adversity strikes suddenly. How we react to it is entirely upto us.

I have been single for the last three years after a 28 year relationship ended. I have had two health scares (luckily turned out to be non events in the end) and I have been made redundant thrice. I have lost people so dear to my heart via death as recently as a year ago. And again I find myself in-between jobs. It's not an easy time in my life.



I would love to have the job of my dreams, financial freedom, abundance in all aspects of my life, and a soulmate to love, cherish and share life with.

I have read an endless list of books, blogs, articles, tweets, FB posts, listened to lectures, vlogs, all conveying the message that the Universe will provide, that we should have the faith, focus on the positive, set the intention etc. After all we attract into our lives what our thoughts focus on.

I know that all of these are true and I am grateful and give thanks that these wonderful people have shared their stories, wisdom and successes with us. A lot of what I have learned and practise is through their works. But in reality we simply cannot sustain the positive frame of mind constantly.

I keep my spirits high and I try to look on the bright side of life. I know the Universe has a plan and I must wait patiently but there are days when I go through intense fear, loneliness and sadness and there are other days when the hope comes shining through only to be dashed again.

So how do I cope?

I allow myself to feel the sadness, loneliness, fear, and sometimes even anger. I know that only when I allow myself to feel, can I heal. I tell myself that it's okay to feel afraid, sad, abandoned, lonely, and angry. Because eventually I know I will move into a happier and positive space.

So how do I move into the happier and positive space?

I take action.

Adversity is a catalyst for action. Often one you never dreamed you would do.

The action I take is not necessarily big. Sometimes doing nothing or inaction is also action. There are days when looking for a job becomes too stressful so on those days I just take a break and do nothing about the job search. Instead I send a prayer to the Universe for help and then I just blob - with a book, TV, blogs whatever I feel like on that day.

The point I make here is that it is okay for me to feel low as long as I take action to move out of it. And when I am inspired to do something I urge myself to - Just do it.

This blog is one of those actions - a just do it and something I never dreamed I would do. Writing helps me project what I feel. It helps me detach temporarily from the situation and provide some breathing space. Then I can deal with the situation a whole lot better.

I was Divinely inspired and led to start this blog. I have been blogging for just over a year via a private blog. I was guided to write a public blog. And it's scary. Sharing your words with people you know is entirely different to sharing with the wide world. I don't know why or where it will lead. All I know is that I must "Just do it" even if I feel the fear. And that if even one person is helped by what I write, I will have made a difference.

So I will trust the Universe that it knows what I must do and I will write as I am guided by it.

I hope it will bring inspiration and comfort to those who need it.

Love and hugs,
Suzy.