Eventually we will find that we can be very grateful to those people who have made life most difficult for us. — Ayya Khema
In my youth, I would have had a hard time accepting this wisdom, but as I have become older and hopefully wiser, the more I know how very true Ayya Khema’s words are. Think about the teacher who challenged you, the coach who made your life miserable, and yes even the bully who made you tougher.
I am not alone in being able to identify the many people who made my life difficult, but as I eventually overcame each difficulty I developed a back handed gratitude for most, and for the few I’m still working on, I see gratitude in my future. I’m just not there yet.
How about you? Do you see the wisdom in Ayya Khema’s words? In your morning meditation consider someone in your past that made your life difficult, ( I hope it wasn’t me) and give some thought to whether to some extent you are grateful to that individual. That gratitude might even lead you to forgiveness, and if not at least to a better understanding of yourself.
Leave a Reply +