G'Day From Downunder

Get the Champers out, we have things to talk about; this week I want to talk about "what are we all looking for in this life".

Last night my wife and I had a widowed friend over for dinner, she told us she was pretty upset with her lot in life.

Fifteen years ago, she was diagnosed with breast cancer, after having surgery she is still in remission. Six years ago, her husband died of cancer.

She has two adult children; one has a same sex partner and they have two well-adjusted children.

Her other adult child is married with no children and his marriage is on the verge of collapse.

I listened to her tail of woe that I have heard so many times in the past and began to wonder how we all see the world so different.

While she was explaining her situation, I could see the angry fire in her eyes and the rage in her expression.

Why me she kept repeating over and over again!

This I found a very sad and selfish situation as I was seeing a very lucky person in front of me.

Lucky because she survived cancer, lucky her husband didn't have a prolonged illness.

Lucky because both her children were in good health, lucky that every time she goes to the pantry and fridge there is food.

Lucky to have a new car and she was lucky to have travelled internationally twice, in one year.

Yes, we do see the world very differently sometimes don't we, considering how many women do not survive breast cancer and how many husbands have prolonged and agonising experiences in fighting cancer, also how many parents have children who for many reasons never reach adulthood?

I found myself disturbed by our guest's selfish concerns and wandered if I was not being sympathetic enough.

Having grown up in the hungry streets of Cork after the war, when sickness was rife and poverty its closest friend, many families were struggling to put food on the table and trying to keep some warmth in their homes.

I soon dropped my guilt complex about apologising for my thoughts, when I considered many of those less fortunate than our guest.

I have always believed in every tragedy there is often an unseen benefit to be found, you just have to look for it.

It's not always obvious to the doubting one. I have found many a silver lining in difficult times as I believe there is a reason for everything under heaven.

So what do we all want in life?

A perfect marriage, perfect health, a perfect career and what else?

Well let me tell you the bad news there is NO perfect anything.

Some time ago I wrote this as a reminder to those who were looking for the meaning of life. I would like now to share it with you.

I look at life as a river, forever flowing weaving like a snake always something new around the next bend with lots of ports of call along the way.

Sometimes the river slows and calms as if to catch its breath then it takes off again over rapids and falls.

Life is no different.

Every new day is like the rivers next bend, something new is shown to us.

The rapids and falls are the rough and tough times in our lives.

Then there is calm in the river, as there is sometimes calm in our lives

The ports of call are the different stages of our enlightenment and development that we pick up along life's journey.

There is nothing to be afraid off just enjoy the journey and all the wonderful magical mysteries that life will throw up to you.

Do not get disillusioned with life when the tough times come, like the rapids they only make up for a small part of the journey.

Sadly some struggle with the challenge and drown along the way.

With every new day starts new opportunities just like rounding the rivers bend, you never know what's there until you arrive.

Remember you only get one shot at this thing called life, so make the most of it.

This is not a movie and there is no rehearsal.

Remember we are all on this journey together.

Are we all looking for the perfection that seems to elude us? Are we ever going to be totally happy?

Well the answer is NO.

Let's be real here If you had everything you ever wanted then there would be nothing to look forward to achieving and then you would be bored and unhappy.

For instance, isn't it nice to see the changes in the seasons, it is such a contrast.

Is summer better than winter? I don't think so.

They are just different; each has its own beauty.

On one hand, you have glorious sunshine and on the other, you have a beautiful blanket of snow.

At times if the sun shines too hot on too many days, you get fed up as you do when the snow hangs around too long.

Yes, we are happy when new and exciting things come in to our lives and then after a while we get bored with them.

Remember back when you first started a relationship with your partner, remember how exciting it was?

Like all things in life you have to work at it as time goes by; it's no different to having a piece of silver that you keep polishing, it will continue to shine.

However if you forget to polish it, the shine will soon disappear but that doesn't mean underneath that faded look the silver has vanished, does it?

Of course not so why do some think that having sunshine every day will make their lives complete and others think that only a bank load of money will satisfy them?

Let's look at the lessons of the World Financial Crisis: we had a load of bankers who were on top salaries and they weren't happy with their lot and wanted more.

If they were earning three times as much before the crisis began they would still have wanted more, so when is enough, enough?

I wondered if our dinner guest was of the same nature of always wanting more.

Life is what it is: life, and there are no promises and no guarantees; it is what it is and what we make of it.

We are all on this amazing Earth, full of abundance and opportunity and yet we complain about everything that doesn't go our way.

For God's sake, wake up, trains, and planes don't always run on time and the seasons don't always start off with a bang, so why should life be any different?

As I said earlier, you only get one shot at this thing called life so make the most of it.

Look for the stepping-stones in life to help you through and your life will become enhanced.

If you dwell on the negatives, they will become your millstones.

So if you're feeling that life isn't being good to you right now, look for the silver lining to shine for as sure as you miss the Gurranabraher bus there will be another along soon.

As I see it, life is a tapestry and I wouldn't want it any other way.

Until I talk to you again be good to those who love you and Slainte from Downunder.

You can reach me at mike@globefins.com.au