THE GIFT

Most of my articles really reflect on training and this one may not seem that way at first, but if you truly think about it once you’ve read it I hope you can really relate it to anything you do or experience in life.

When I married Mike many people who knew us would comment on how positive he was and how I may not always see the glass as half full but rather half empty.  I think this truly changed for me when I decided to join a religion and church.  I learned a lot during my courses to become Catholic but I think I learned more about how to change my thought process.  Soon after I turned Catholic we lost Mike’s Mom and his older Sister did a eulogy that really touched many including myself.  The one sentence from the eulogy that I often quote to others, but more go back to myself when something challenges me is, “So in the last few weeks, while we all have been heartbroken, I’ve thought how can I be mad at Jesus, when he just wants his best friend with him.”   This quote and the way Christy delivered it turned my half empty glass to half full instantly, because I knew at that moment it truly is how I handle the situation, not the situation.  Do I make it bad or do I find the positive in it?  Do I wallow in the loss or do I remember the great moments?  Do I wish I wasn’t ever sad or do I think of all the awesome things I got to experience?

My life has truly changed because of that and I could say great things have happened to me and at times I’m lucky, but now I know the things that I find great or luck could be bad to others if they look at it negatively.  I have truly learned that everything can be positive.  During this time I’ve distanced myself from some friends because when I’d tried to show them the Great, they’d try to find the negative.  I don’t need that. 

I’ve recently been saying “God doesn’t give you more than you can handle” a lot.  I really think I was getting myself ready for something and reminding myself to be positive.  This last month we got some news about our Miss Sami that at first took me by shock.  She has some hip problems and the day I found out it really blindsided me and I shed many tears.  After some time to think and pray I truly saw the fullness of the glass.  Mike and I have been blessed with a true Gift.  The gift we have received is a beautiful puppy who absolutely loves her older sister Rascal, she has a darling face (we swear she’s laughing), and she is the most affectionate dog I have ever had.  Sami will take her paw and set it on Mike, Rascal, or myself just so we know she’s there and she loves us.  Part of the treatment for her is walking her daily which has been great for Mike, Rascal, and me because it’s made us all a little healthier by walking in the fresh air together.  She makes us laugh and she gives us unconditional love.

Sami was a gift given to Mike and I because we will do what ever we can to make her better and see this not as a punishment but rather a blessing.  We had a stressful interaction with someone about this situation recently and I found myself letting go of the negativity and rather thanking God for the blessing of this precious puppy that was cuddled on the bed with me. 

This month just days ago we also lost our Ashley.  After 12 ½ years she finally took her final nap.  What an angel she was and she will be so missed.  Again, I have found all the blessings she brought us instead of dwelling on the negatives.  I thank God for having an angel in heaven to watch over Miss Sami.

Now how does this relate to Training?  Well as trainer I know that I can prepare and deliver a subject matter to many people but it is the people themselves, who must execute what they’ve learned.  Some will and some will feel they’ve wasted their time.  Every one of us can learn something new; it may be presented in the training class or an idea from someone in the class who shared.  It’s our choice if we want to learn, we will.  How do you see things?  Do you have many gifts in your life?

Great Training,

Kim Popella