Find Your Guru

I often feel like I missed out on something in life by not having an exclusive life mentor, or guru.  It took until I was in my late 20's to find my life's passion.  And even then I wasn't sure of myself.  I'm still not sure of myself today.

In fact, most of the time
​I don't have a clue what I'm doing.​

Looking around myself, I am starting to see that it's not that I'm lacking a guru or teacher. Everything around me is trying to teach me, the people around me, my experiences, and it's MY CHOICE to learn and grow, or sit and suffer.  
Life is not fair.  Yes, we are each dealt a vastly different deck of cards when we reach this life.  But I'm starting to realize that it's what you do with your cards that makes all the difference. (Side note: cards is an awful analogy for me, I am THE WORST poker player ever!)

My personal mantra this month is:
"Quit complaining, see the good, move forward."

​And it stems from something that happened to my daughter 2 weeks ago:
​
She was late for the bus, because she was dismissed late from class - all due to the epic snowstorm and postponed Valentine's class party, and a late-start for school.  And, well everything happening late.

The bus had already pulled out, but stopped so she could run to catch it.  And then the bus driver chastised her in front of the entire bus for being late, threatening that next time the bus wouldn't stop for a child who can't organize herself to be there on time.

She sat, at the back of the bus, fighting tears and angered emotions directed at the bus driver.

Meanwhile, I stood at the bus stop waiting, oblivious to the situation.  I watched when she got off and saw my daughter dig through her bag and pull out some of her Valentine's candy and give it to the driver and say something before she got off the bus.

Afterwards,  I asked what she had said, and applauded her for sharing "how nice!" 
And so she told me about what happened.

​ She started by saying this:

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that.
Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that."

Wait.  What??

I stood stupefied and asked more questions.
​
"It's a quote" she said "from Martin Luther King Jr.  And I think what he meant was, to try and see things from the other person's view.  And getting angry at my bus driver would've just made things worse, so I thought the only way to make things better was to show her love.  So I gave her my Valentine's candy, and thanked her for waiting for me today.  Even though it was wrong for her to have yelled at me, and to have treated me that way.  I wanted to show her kindness, so she could be kind to others."

That day.  My nine year old daughter taught me a life lesson. (As she often does.)

Learning comes in all forms.  So pay attention and listen.

Your teachers, your gurus, and life's inspiration surround you always.  You just have to open your heart and listen.