Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck. ~Dalai Lama
In other words, as quoted from the novel No Country for Old Men:
“You never know what worse luck your bad luck has saved you from.” ~Cormac McCarthy, American novelist and playwright
How often have you wanted something so badly and were terribly disappointed that it didn’t materialize, only to later realize that had you gotten what you wished for, it would’ve been a terrible fate?
Not getting what you want helps you gain perspective. It can often make you see that what you wanted wasn’t what you really wanted after all.
Like that relationship that didn’t work out and broke your heart … and then you later found out that the guy ended up being a deadbeat bum. Or that great relationship that ended in disaster, leaving you shattered, only to later leave you open to an even better and more loving relationship.
How about that job you interviewed for, the one that you were convinced was the only stepping stone that would enable you to get where you wanted to go, but you didn’t get…and then, after months of pissing and moaning, you later ended up with a job way better than the one you lost out on.
Or the bid on the house of your dreams that you lost. You were convinced it was the only house that could make you happy and that you’d never find another like it. But then you later learn that the people who did get the house are facing costly repairs due to a faulty and shifting foundation.
Sometimes not getting what you want is an incredible stroke of luck. Has that happened to you? Tell us about it.
Angels Bark 
Hi, MIchele!
How are your folks? Your dogs? This is a great topic, one to which nearly everyone can relate. I have experienced all three of the scenarios you outlined. In the love and romance category, I was planning marriage with a woman but was blinded by physical attraction and ignored the telltale signs of incompatibility. When the relationship ended I was crushed but, looking back on it from a now perspective, I realize it was for the best. The upset served as a catalyst, allowing me to overcome complacency in my career and take it to the next level in another state a thousand miles away. All of the good things that have happened since can be traced back to the “big bang” when that untenable relationship blew up in my face.
Have a wonderful day, dear friend Michele!
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I love the way you describe that event as the “big bang” — it’s always so interesting to learn that our trials and tribulations are often blessings in disguise. We can usually be thankful for those heartbreaks. I am one that believes in the premise that everything happens for a reason and that the reason is always to bring us to a better place. I have to remind myself of that though because sometimes I lose sight of it…
Thanks for asking about my folks and the puppies. Mom and Dad are doing great. My brother and sister-in-law just left here on Saturday. We were all together for 11 days and had a blast! It was essentially a family reunion and it was my brother’s first time to see my new house — which I bought in 2003!!! I was happy to share my home with them. Now my mom is getting ready for her heart surgery, which is scheduled for Feb 11th. It’s going to be a really big surgery and we’re of course nervous and anxious. But we’re trying to keep our minds off it and right now I’m getting ready to take her out for coffee and to get her hair done… 🙂
I know you’re getting company at the end of the month so hoping that all goes well and that you have a good time together…
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Not getting what I thought I wanted has almost always concerned relationships. Where would I be now if certain things with certain females had worked the way I had wanted them at the time? I shudder to think in some cases. In some others maybe it would have turned out very well. Better than where I am now? I wouldn’t trade that for the unknown–I’m content in the place where I ended up. Things are as they were meant to be.
Arlee Bird
Wrote By Rote
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Ah, yes, everything turns out as it is meant to be! I often question how my life would’ve been had events unfolded differently or if I had made different decisions. And although sometimes I wonder if I might be happier on another path, like you, I think about where I am now and all that has transpired between then and now. I realize that had things been different, I wouldn’t have met the people who have come into my life or experienced the events that I have or be where I am now. I always come to the conclusion that I wouldn’t want to have missed out on all that happened and all the relationships I now have in my life. Thankfully, I always find my way back to a content state.
I’m happy to know that you too are content where you are. That’s a real blessing.
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My daughter is supposed to go on a cruise with her fiance on Friday. He’s down in the back, and it looks like they may have to cancel. She is having trouble finding the good in that situation!
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That sounds like a big disappointment but there are always other cruises. And maybe something bad would’ve happened on this particular cruise. Maybe she’s meant to meet someone who will be instrumental in her life on a different venture. The angels are always at work in our life and usually disappointments are blessings in disguise. When I get disappointed, I always try to put my trust in my angels. They haven’t let me down yet… 🙂
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I think, that mostly of us can relate to at least one of these Michele and I believe like you, that we must be grateful for the times, when we didn’t get, what we wished for.
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That’s for sure Irene! Sometimes it’s hard to be grateful in the moment, but over time the gratitude sinks in…
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How true this can be and there is always a reason for something not happening the way you want it. I was in a difficult relationship to put it mildly. I knew him to be a good person deep down but he had so much baggage and it would have cause major upheavals in our families. In the end, it never came to be. I became stronger as a result even though we still loved each other deeply we knew it was not right. The sad thing is he died alone, found in his bed from his heart but more to do with alcoholism. He was someone that could have been so much more and decided to choose the downward path. I know I dodged a bullet
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That’s so sad Birgit. But only he could’ve helped himself. Aren’t you so lucky that you didn’t spend your life trying to fix him, trying to lift him up, trying to make him see the light? Although maybe noble, it is a fruitless endeavor. I’m glad that you were spared that life. Dodged a bullet is right!
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I put my trust in God. Sometimes I get frustrated over not getting what I want, and then I remember that God has a plan for me. I thought that getting divorced would be the end of the world, especially after more than thirty years of marriage. I’m so much happier having an ex-husband. God knew.
Love,
Janie
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He did indeed! Yes, we always have to trust in God because he has the blueprint of our lives. We are the decorators of our own life with our free will — we do the design but the responsibility for the blueprints is always in God’s hands.
I’m glad you’re much happier now…
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Oh yeah… the never never never of someone who is married… Definitely a sure way to heart break. And I know MANY people, particularly women, very happy alone.
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Hi Hart. I just found your comment here (you were commenting on my Love Lost & Found post I believe): You’re so right: definitely a sure way to heartbreak…without exception! Thank you for pointing out that many people are very happy being alone. Nothing drives me more crazy than someone feeling sorry for me because I’m alone. I’m alone by choice and I’m quite satisfied being so. Some people just don’t believe that. I don’t know why that’s so hard to believe. Do you??
Thanks so much for your comment. Hope to see you again.
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Hi Michelle,
I hope my comment has landed in the right place. First, about your Love & Lost: sometimes the weirdest things happen in a kiss and especially when it is a kiss that is forbidden or comes with strings that are not in our control. Those few minutes, weeks, or months affect our lives in a way that we are changed. I wish it could have been different for you, but yet I can understand the pressure that the kids put on him. Growing up without a father is really difficult.
Now about your battle of the band project: I remember when Luther Ingram came out with this song. It is the best version of it in my opinion. I heard it on radio and fell in love with it. His voice paints a picture of a couple struggling to justify their love although they are married to two different people. Loved it.
As for listening to the two songs Rhymes or Stewart, I couldn’t pick either because GEMA forbids it in Germany.
Shalom,
Patricia
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Hey Patricia. I found your comment! Thanks so much for commenting on my Love Lost & Found post. You’ve very right: that experience changed me in so many ways. Mistakes are all about learning and that I did.
I too think Luther Ingram’s version is the best. It’s the one that I’m most familiar with and it’s soooo good!
I’m glad you voted in the battle of the bands: I got your other comment and have recorded your vote. Thanks so much for playing! Hope to see you again soon…
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Yes; I can relate. 🙂 When I was “downsized” from my corporate job, it was like losing my purpose, my very identity. What I came to realize much later, was, that wasn’t the real me at al! At the time, I was determined to find a similar position but that didn’t happen, so I started the pet care business out of desperation. That was 22 years ago.
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