While musing with a coworker on what to write about, she first suggested a harvest theme, and then something about birthdays. October is a time for harvest, and may be a time for either blessings or disappointment. In my experience, birthdays may also be a time for blessings or disappointment. For example, my brother was born on Halloween due to a trick of fate. While my mother was getting the kids ready for trick or treat, a mouse jumped out of one of their coat pockets, sending her into labor. The blessing was the birth of a son, and the disappointment was felt by my brothers because they couldn’t go trick-or-treating.

Whether it is October or any other month, our life is filled with either tricks of fate (disappointments) or treats (blessings). However, it is how we handle these events that determines our mental health.

We all cope with disappointment and accept blessings differently. When we face disappointment, the key to growth is to glean what you can from that particular trial in your life, and benefit from the experience.

I try to remember the quote "Success is just failure turned inside out." Too many times we ask ourselves "Why did I deserve this?" rather than "How can this experience make me a better individual?"

It is understandable to temporarily bemoan your situation, but staying in that state doesn’t serve a constructive purpose. In my belief system, I believe everything has a purpose. I also try to remember bad things do happen to good people. For me, talking about the situation, or writing it out and then praying about it, helps me put things in perspective.

As Helen Keller said, "It makes me not look so long at the closed door that I miss the open one before me," which prevents me from becoming too depressed, and helps turn a disappointment into a blessing.

On the flip side, the treats or blessings in our lives should make us appreciate life more. However, humans have a habit of always wanting more. I do not contend that wanting more is necessarily bad, but never being satisfied usually leads to more disappointment and frustration. Happiness is being satisfied with what you need rather than what you want. Just because you are satisfied with blessings already received doesn’t mean that you won’t receive more.

I believe a bountiful supply of blessings will continue to descend upon us without worrying about the where, when, and how of obtaining more. I believe our hearts’ desires will be fulfilled, but not necessarily based on our time-table. We should simply do our best to enjoy life’s journey, for quite frequently we discover the disappointments of today turn out to be the blessings of tomorrow. TPW