I’m answering this at the end of the day, and perhaps that’s a good thing because I suspect that I would not have had any idea how to answer before the day unfolded. However, the day presented me with at least 2 opportunities to help that I responded to positively. One was just spending time with a neighbor who lives alone and has been sick. The other was responding to a request for help at work. Neither opportunity was expected, and I am grateful that 1) I was put in a position to help rather than needing help myself, and 2) was present enough to recognize the opportunities and respond with an open heart. Curiously enough I also spent a lot of time away from work today, and felt a bit guilty about that. But it ended up being a very productive day, more so than most workdays, simply because I did step away and make myself available to what others needed rather than what I thought I had to do. In any case, it was a good day.

Thank you for the question. After pondering some of these “storms” it is clear to me that the most horrible trials of my life have also been the most meaningful. In some instances, they’ve challenged me to turn the other cheek and “love anyway”. Others have shocked me with the revelation of profound blessings in the midst of intensely painful crises. In a few I’ve been surprised by my own unexpected gifts. Always, they’ve led to a greater understanding of and appreciation for love. And because of that I don’t regret them. For the most awful moments of my life have always led to grace, eventually.