The School of Pain

Graduate from the School of Pain to School of Vision

We all struggle with some aspect of lack in our lives – not enough time, money, opportunities, health, friends… and we perceive that lack as suffering. We focus on our pain, and we use drugs, food, alcohol, or sex as painkillers. Some of us bury ourselves in our work, or live in quiet desperation, believing we earned this punishment. We search for a magic “fix” to our situation, such as a job change or divorce.

The solution I found is much less drastic. I learned to “Let Go and Let God”. Here’s my story.

From the Low Road to the High Road
For over 40 years, I was a professional student at the School of Pain. I was a victim of my circumstances. I was being punished for untold sins. I had too little money and too many bills. No one loved me! And I blamed my situation on the economy, my marital status, my sex, my education, my boss, my God (who had surely forsaken me). My self-worth depended on the balance in my checking account. Life was a struggle, and then you died!

My final exam in the School of Pain came a few years ago at the wedding celebration of my precious daughter. I had barely a dime to pay my way, much less contribute to her special day. Having to renege on my promise to contribute to her marriage day took me down to all fours. “Oh my God,” I thought, “can I get any lower than this?”

I cried oceans of tears in the wee hours of that wedding day. What did I do to deserve this? I worked hard, raised three children by myself, and was a religious person. What am I missing? I spent the pre-dawn hours of that day submerged in self-pity. Until, in a space between the torrent of tears, I heard a soft voice say, “Be Still.”

Startled, I obeyed and stopped sobbing. “What are you grateful for right now?” the Voice asked. “That I’m breathing”, I answered. A tiny tiniest measure of calm inched its way into my shuddering body.

“Will you surrender all your problems to Me? And will you trust Me?” the Voice inquired. “I have no choice,” I sighed. “I have nowhere else to go. All I want right now is to enjoy being the mother of the bride.”

“Continue to be grateful and watch the miracles unfold today. Turn it all over to me and have a wonderful time,” the Voice said. “When you are grateful you open the door for My Abundance to flow into your life.”

That extraordinary day I transferred from the School of Pain to the School of Vision. The only criterion for admission to this school is the desire to be there. Enrolling guarantees you a degree in listening with your inner ear to the Divine Plan for your life. Here we are taught through inspiration, intuition and imagination what our true purpose is. Here we learn to choose the high road to clarity.

By the time we graduate from the School of Vision we recognize that the Universe is for us and that It truly works for our highest good. The diploma we receive certifies that we know with God all things are possible.

Through this curriculum I learned that what I get in life is determined by what I give out. If I expect fear and lack, a life of fear and lack shows up. The School of Vision taught me to “give out” everything that I want returned to me, including money, laughter, healthy habits, love, compassion, peace, and harmony. AS YOU GIVE, SO SHALL YOU RECEIVE.

The Happy Ending
On a cloud of gratitude I floated into the bride’s dressing room on my daughter’s wedding day - gratitude for the bride, my son-in-love to be, my two ex-husbands who were attending to last minute details, the beautiful flowers, and the joy on all my children’s faces. Everywhere I looked I said, “Thank You, God!” God’s floodgates opened, the miracles poured forth and I received. A wise and generous sister slipped money into my hand to pay for my hotel room. “Thank you, God!” My loving son bought my breakfast. “Thank you, God!” I thought of the perfect gift to give the newlyweds that cost only my time and talent, yet would be priceless to them. “Thank you, God!” A wedding guest requested my counseling services. “Thank you, God!” With each prayer of GRATITUDE, I received even more from the Infinite One Source, God.

The Choice is Ours
For most of us, pain is our greatest teacher. Yet, we can choose to learn through living from the vision of our lives that we are Divine beings whose only purpose is to give and receive love.

Pain or Vision: which school do you choose?