We can become bitter or better as a result of our experiences. - Eric Butterworth

Life's journey
Every great journey, like an attempt to scale a mountain, requires decision, courage, and steadfastness. Few great journeys are completed without an occasional diversion or detour. There may be times when we feel we have lost our way. We may feel we have made mistakes, or wonder what it is really all about.

Climbing again: Karen getting back on rock and ropes after 14 years on wheels. Photograph by kind permission of Karen Darke

Setbacks
Part of life's journey is learning how to accept disasters. What happens to us is not nearly as important as how we handle what happens. Life sometimes takes unexpected twists and turns that can throw us off course. However, we can learn from these experiences and continue from there.

Handling loss
One of the most difficult situations we can experience is that of grief. For most of us, grieving is how we respond to a deeply felt loss or a tragic event. We, or someone close to us, may have experienced an illness, a serious accident, the breakup of a relationship, or a death. Grieving seems to be a natural way to respond to tragedy. But difficult times can be opportunities to develop deep inner strength and to grow in spiritual wealth.

Fruits of Experience
We always have a choice. We can become bitter or we can choose to become bigger and better people. When we learn to recognize that every experience can bring a blessing of some kind, our upset is softened. We gain the energy to soar to a higher level of consciousness in all areas of our lives. We gain from the opportunity to discover new depths of wisdom and love in the opportunities that life presents.