What Happens, and What We Do When Things Happen

"We must be more concerned with what we do with what happens to us than what happens to us."
-Marvin J. Ashton.

The first time I read this quote, I was horribly confused. I had to read the quote several times to get a grasp on what the meaning was. However, after understanding what the quote was all about, I founds it's message to be profound and lasting. We must be more concerned with how we deal with things, rather than the things themselves. This implies the type of character we have; our habits, and the way we act naturally.

When the wind is calm, it's easy to have a good attitude and happy disposition. But how do we face the hard times; death or illness, spilled milk; a missing piece of a jig saw puzzle? When everything isn't peachy keen, how do we act? What is our attitude towards it, is it a learning experience, or something obnoxious? Certainly we can't all see the lesson when we are in the midst of a conflict, but do we look back with a meek perspective, or is it just another incident to complain about?

According to Marvin J. Ashton, it really doesn't matter what happens to us; what matters is how we react to it. In my personal opinion, when you hit a snag in your life, it is the time to turn to sources of comfort and to grow. Turn to something good that radiates its qualities. Turn to friends, family members, or hobbies. Turn to things that will help your outlook on life change and move through it. So when you look back on it you can see how far you've climbed, rather than how close to the summit you could have been. There are no content feelings in regret. Even if things are hard now, do your best and when you look back, surely you will feel the pleasure of success. The glass will truly be half full.