Resolutions

In October of 2010  Krista Tippett   interviewed His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Professor Dr. Seyyed Hossein Nasr of George Washington University; the Most Reverend Dr. Katharine Jefferts Schori of the Episcopal Church, and Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks of the British Commonwealth for a special program called Pursuing Happiness.  

While listening to that show, I was just captivated by the following statement by Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks....

"The definition of a Jew, Israel is at it says in Genesis 34, one who struggles, wrestles, with God and with humanity and prevails. And Jacob says something very profound to the angel. He says, "I will not let you go until you bless me." And that I feel about suffering. When something bad happens, I will not let go of that bad thing until I have discovered the blessing that lies within it."

He continues...

"When my late father died — now I'm in mourning for my late mother — that sense of grief and bereavement suddenly taught me that so many things that I thought were important, externals, etc., all of that is irrelevant. You lose a parent, you suddenly realize what a slender thing life is, how easily you can lose those you love. Then out of that comes a new simplicity and that is why sometimes all the pain and the tears lift you to a much higher and deeper joy when you say to the bad times, "I will not let you go until you bless me." Thank you."

In 2013 I resolve to be positive.  I resolve to search for and find the blessing within the struggles.