Happy New Life!

Eric and Kathryn Svendsen and family, Christmas 2018

The above photo represents our family, its current iteration at least, and includes parents, children, and dogs.  The dogs are surrogate grand children; not as noisy or messy as little ones but far cheaper in the long run.  The angel in the background is symbolic for the fact that we have been quite blessed with everything - there is much to be thankful for.  It wasn't always like that though.

Go back a few years and turmoil abounded.  Going into specifics is inappropriate as this is a public post, but it is not too much to say that each of us has had some very challenging obstacles to overcome.  They range from medical through to emotional and venturing out to career and spiritual issues.  Each person has had their own demons to face; their own overwhelming burdens running rampant over the fabric of their lives.  I can speak for myself that this is true, and it is true for each member of my family as well.

So, why go to the trouble of telling you all this without providing any juicy details?  There is one reason; hope.  I do not doubt that some reading this are facing disillusionment, failure, or depression; perhaps even all three.  Our lives are so complicated and the relationships that we build so fragile that it seems miraculous when all things are going right.  Perhaps the truth in all this is the concept that life is about overcoming challenges.  Wouldn't it be great if there were never any problems - no conflicts - no issues.  Think about that for a moment; it it were true we would have nothing to aspire to.  If all goals could be achieved without effort, where would the victory be?  Achievement is about overcoming adversity, not just flowing along the river as a mindless particle.

I am certain that things will, once again, become complicated.  Health, career, family, spirituality all a target for things going wrong.  It is natural, it is part of being human.  Rather, we should search for a means to overcome the problems, whether done individually or communally.  The goal is to get over the next hump along the pathway which represents our lives.  Until the next one comes along.

My point in all this:  Understand we all face problems along our route through life.  Some days are better than others, some days worse.  Enjoy the good days and strive to overcome those which are hard.  Share your victories with others and get help from others when things don't go so well.  It is hard to see the beauty of life when you are stuck in the trenches, but be assured that things will improve.  When things get better remember the hard times and help those that are where you used to be.  

I want to wish all of you more than a happy new year; I want to wish you a happy new life!  All the best for the future.