The Newsy Neighbbour Magazine
August Issue 118
Article Provided By: Darlis Keily-Ireland of WomenTalk Strathmore
“The difference between school and life? In
school, you’re taught a lesson and then given a test. In life, you’re given a
test that teaches you a lesson.”― Tom Bodett
While summer is not yet even half over, if
you’ve been anywhere near a retail store lately, you are surely to have seen
the many school supplies filling the shelves. Colourful binders, pencils,
erasers, markers and more, all reminding parents that their children will soon
be back learning new things in another year of classes.
Even though my children have all graduated,
at this time of year I look over the supplies excitedly and come home with a
bagful. Why? Because I am a grateful student in the School of Life and my
‘educational program’ requires supplies for writing, learning and organizing
the teachings I experience.
I was accepted into this School in my early
20’s after I began to question why my life was the way it was and sought out
answers in courses, books, conversations and other forms of personal
development. I soon came to believe that my experiences were neither good nor
bad, they were simply whatever meaning I gave them so I began to look for the
deeper purpose or message in my experiences. While sometimes it was obvious and
other times it was elusive, I’ve been able to find at least some small part of my
experiences to be grateful for.
To be fair, some experiences were physically,
emotionally or psychologically painful. Life is full of these types of
experiences and we cannot completely avoid them; however, I believe something
positive can come from many (if not all) of our experiences and often it can be
used to help others. Consider the experience of Gandhi who was forcibly thrown
off a train when he refused to move to the back. He could have chosen to avoid
any possible repeat of this experience, but instead it sparked a commitment to
fight the ‘deep disease of colour prejudice’, a decision that made him into one
of the most influential anti-war activists in history. There is Candice Lightner
who started MADD after her 13-year old daughter was killed by a drunk driver
and Bill W. who co-founded Alcoholics Anonymous following many painful years as
an alcoholic.
Had these individuals not had their
experiences, millions of people on this planet would not have been helped,
supported or saved. We all have this ability to look at our experiences with an
element of curiosity. To uncover meaning in what appears on the surface to be a
‘bad’ experience. To use the experience to help people in our family, our
community, or around the world.
Every month, women do exactly this when
they share their ordinary life stories and have an extraordinary impact on the
women at Women Talk in Strathmore. For example, at the last Women Talk, we
heard three stories:
1.
How the founder dug deep to
find courage and jump from a plane after being inspired to raise money for a
home that helps women find their confidence and independence after life
experiences have gotten them down. She encouraged us to acknowledge our fears…
and do it anyway.
2.
The first Talker shared how
feeling invisible all her life and never feeling that she was ‘enough’ guided
her to a successful career in stand-up comedy where she finds the humour in
daily life. She encouraged us to become visible to ourselves… and know that we
each have something to offer to the world.
3.
The second Talker was
disconnected from herself and those around her because she didn’t know who she
was, and this pain led her to teaching others how to use meditation and
mindfulness to build bridges of connection. She encouraged us be present and
aware in our lives… and find the wisdom, learnings and insights life offers.
As Bob Bitchin said, “The difference
between an adventure and an ordeal is attitude,” so the next time you are at
the store, pick up some supplies for your next year in the School of Life and
join us at Women Talk where you will get plenty of inspiration on how to make
your life a meaningful adventure.
For more information about WOMEN TALK in
Strathmore, please visit www.WomenTalk.ca/Strathmore.
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