Have you ever taken the time to analyze the events in your life and then wonder how you made it through the tough times?  Sometimes, the tough times include grief and loss.  There are inevitably, small wonders in the tough times.

The small wonders can add up to big accomplishments. The small wonders may go unnoticed at the time and upon reflection at a later date you notice the importance of the small things in life.  The important things can be different for each person.

The experience of grief and loss can bring helping hands from a friend or words of encouragement from a stranger.  Sometimes, the lowest moments in life end up having the greatest impact on who you become in the future.

An invite out for supper may lead to a conversation and an introduction to a new person who leads to the job you always wanted.  Life losses and events provide the opportunity for change, perhaps moving to a new location, meeting new people, going back to school as an adult and changing your whole life for the better.

If you had a magic crystal ball you could see how small wonders work in your life and how small wonders work in the lives of others.  Set aside fear, procrastination, the what ifs and take a chance to be a different and better you.  After dealing with some types of losses you are forever changed, anyway.

STOP staring out the window or looking at the floor; perhaps be a small wonder for someone else.  Smile, say good morning to a stranger or a neighbour, put a jump in your step and see the small wonders all around you.

I like the quote by Tom Robbins, “When we accept small wonders, we qualify ourselves to imagine great wonders.”  Ponder that quote for a moment and read over again.  Sometimes, it is difficult to picture or believe good things can happen to or for us, but that is the point of small wonders. 

There is a belief that where you put your focus and attention is what comes toward you.  If you always focus on my life sucks — it will suck.  If you start to focus on and inviting love, joy and happiness into your life, then that is what will start to happen.  Keep in mind you cannot ask for all the goodness in the world, then counter act it with saying something such as “Well that will never happen for me.” 

Small wonders can start with you being the change you want to see in the world. 

Give it a try.  Start small and see what happens next.

All my best,

Barbara Gillett Saunders

Grief Counsellor/Thanatologist