"The Reality Check Has Been Written and Cashed"

- Sean Stephenson


During my morning mentor session today I watched part of a video that featured Sean Stephenson as the first speaker. It was about gratitude. I have to admit, I didn't get past his short segment of the video because his message was incredibly powerful and I became so inspired to write this blog post and to share this message that has been brewing inside of me for some time, just waiting for the right time to be released. 

 Now is that time. 

 Here is the message:

 Whatever problems you are facing in your life, whatever trials you are going through, there will always be someone else facing bigger problems or going through something worse.  
Are you making a small frustration or obstacle in your life into a BIG deal? Have you ever found yourself so frustrated, stressed out and fed up with a small thing that you've turned it into a big issue and you've lost your joy over it, while all the while, in all actuality the thing that's got you so wrapped up in stress, frustration, and negativity is, in the grand scheme of all things, not really worth the time and effort you've allowed yourself to give it? 

 I sure have. I can recall many times in my life when I was dealing with various issues that I thought were huge, and then my dad would say to me: "You know, there's a saying: 
"I cried because I had no shoes until I met a man who had no feet."
- Helen Keller
"We have to be thankful for what we have." 

 I have to admit, I didn't always like hearing that reminder. At times I didn't want to be thankful or grateful. I wanted to wallow in my self-pity over some of the stuff that happened to me, to be angry over the unfairness of life, to hold onto that thing that had scarred me so much. 

 I had earn that right, hadn't I? 

 No. 

 The reality is, as a Believer, I have to realize that God is in control and follow His ways. 
The quote my dad reminded me of frequently (I realized later in life) was from Helen Keller, who, as an American educator, overcame the adversity of being blind and deaf to become one of the 20th century's leading humanitarians, as well as co-founder of the ACLU.

 This quote and studying about Helen Keller and many others has caused me to take a pause during various times in my life when I find myself "making mountains out of mole hills" and many times I have to re-center my thoughts, emotions, and reactions to things going on in my life that to me are really big deals, but when I regroup and really assess the situation from an eternal point of view, I can see clearly whether the situation, frustration or obstacle that I'm facing really merits the time and energy that I'm giving to it. 

 Sometimes all I get is this simple reminder. Other times I'm faced with the harsh realities that others face in their lives and, as Sean Stephenson said, 
"The Reality Check Has Been Written and Cashed." 

 Then, I am humbled and realize that what I'm facing isn't as bad as what someone else is going through, and once that awareness comes, everything gets put into the proper perceptive again. 

 And gratitude is everything. 

 My dad was right, we do have to be thankful. Expressing gratitude for what we have, where we are in our journey and for the many blessings that we have been given opens the door for more good things to come into our lives. 

 We are not promised a life without problems or trials, in fact Jesus told us just the opposite, He said:
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33. 
 Once we realize this, then our need to hold onto those things which bring us down, cause us pain, and keep us stuck in a negative situation can then be released and we can express our gratitude for our current situation, problems and experiences knowing that out there somewhere, someone else is dealing with something far greater than us and we can appreciate our journey more. 

 It also opens up the opportunities for us to reach out to others during their trials to pray, lend a helping hand, or just to be there for them and offer comfort and encouragement. 

 What are your thoughts? Share them in the comments, I'd love to hear from you! 





 



*To see the video I mentioned above, go to: https://youtu.be/0mHB7glBfYw 
*To learn more about Sean Stephenson visit: https://www.facebook.com/theseanstephenson/ 
*To read more about Helen Keller visit: http://www.biography.com/people/helen-keller-9361967

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