There Are No Bad Things

This is a statement I believe - and as with all beliefs, putting them into practise does not always go smoothly. I think it is the developing of beliefs and the putting them into practise, that make up the important part of our life.

Of things that happen to you, there are no bad things and conversely, no good things either - just things.
I know this to be true as I have observed many of the same things happen to different people and result in very different reactions. Meaning that it is the internal workings of the person that change a thing that happens into a bad thing or a good thing - not the thing itself.
For myself I know that in different parts of my life the same things have happened to me and *I* have reacted very differently.
Take the last few days for me, for example.
I have had some things happen - more than usual and although I know from my beliefs these are just things - in the very least they were extreme in the ups and downs department. The single most personally devastating conversation with a person of long standing importance in my life, meeting and shaking the hand of our prime minister, a hearing test confirming significant hearing loss in my right ear, a stressful situation at work, an astounding opening of a Tibetan photography exhibition, and a beautiful meditation class.
There are no bad things or good things - just things, and our reaction to them.
Some people when presented with things that happen see a pile of nasty sour lemons and screw their faces up and complain, other people, when presented with the same things see the opportuntity to make themselves lemonade and others take that lemonade and give it to their family and friends - others still take the lemonade and share it with everyone.
The things I listed are all just things. In the past I would have crumbled and been resentful of the world and miserable. Now days I am more contemplative. I am selfreflective about the feelings that arise for me. I ponder. Most of all I am grateful. I inwardly say thankyou for all things and the insights they bring me about myself. Just as I allowed myself to feel pride that I had worked hard to be in a position to meet our prime minister and I smiled, I also felt sad and wept for the devastating conversation.
I am grateful for both experiences and the opportunites they give me for personal growth.

There are no bad things or good things that happen - just things that happen.
We live in a world and it is the nature of this dynamic living wonderful world that things happen.

Things happen.

I think that to label them as bad or good sets up an environment where it is possible to fall into the trap of being judgemental and assigning blame. This thinking makes it easy to be unhappy and feel overwhelmed with the fact you cannot control things that happen.
You cannot control things that happen. You can waste a lot of energy and time trying.
You cannot control things that happen. You cannot control how people will react to things that happen and you cannot control how anyone thinks.
You can only control yourself, your thoughts and your reactions.

There are no bad things or good things that happen - just things. You are not responsible for the things that happen. They are not in your control. You are responsible for your actions and reactions. These you can control.

Do we always react, think, do the wise, sensible, responsible action, thought, reaction?
No. Because we are imperfect beings, humans, in this life to experience what the universe has for us to learn. We do the best we know how to do and when we know better, we do better.
Do not be so hard on yourself for your percieved mistakes. Learn from them, don't be ashamed. Give yourself some credit where it's due, be kind and forgiving to yourself. If we were perfect we would be elsewhere.
Life on Earth is about trial and error, experiments, having a go, adventure - adapting to what comes.
Making the most of the things that happen.

Enjoy it.
And say thankyou.