Courage, it would seem, is nothing less than the power to overcome danger, misfortune, fear, injustice, while continuing to affirm inwardly that life with all its sorrows is good; that everything is meaningful even if in a sense beyond our understanding; and that there is always tomorrow. Dorothy Thompson

Although we may not understand it at the time, everything in life happens for a reason. At the heart of everything that happens is learning, growth, and evolution. That’s such an important and key thing to understand that I’m going to repeat it “Everything we experience helps us to grow, learn and evolve”. Bearing in mind we are all a part of the All That Is, when we grow and evolve, so too does Collective Consciousness/The All That Is.

What prompted me to write today’s thought was an excellent television programme I watched last night about Mo Mowlam. For those who do not know, Mo was an MP who became the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland back in the 90s when New Labour were elected as the British Government. This was the time when the IRA and Sinn Fein were still actively causing violence and destruction and Mo was sent over to Northern Ireland to broker peace – which she did. Relax now as this is not going to be a political broadcast I promise.

At the same time, Mo was told she had a brain tumour and had to deal with the outcomes of that and the radiotherapy. Rather than just sit back and wait for the inevitable, Mo used the illness to drive herself and motivate herself to do what she needed to do. Some might say she was unscrupulous in her use of her wig to gain the advantage during the peace talks! However, pulling her wig off didn’t cause anyone to get hurt and, if she hadn’t lost her hair she wouldn’t have been able to use the removal of her wig to help break down barriers.

Later on, it becomes clear that Mo may well have had her tumour for many years before it became known. Further, the tumour itself affected her behaviour and her personality – what she went through on finding that out was distress about knowing who she really was. What was really “Mo Mowlam” and what was really “tumour” in terms of her personality.

The point here is not about political leanings and views, but about understanding the key thing behind the story. If Mo hadn’t had tumour, would she really have been able to do what she needed to do? Who knows. The long and short of it is, she became aware of it, and dealt with it. Sure there were times when I’m sure she felt dreadful physically, mentally, and emotionally because of it, but that didn’t stop her. She used it to her advantage rather than just giving up and moaning about it.

This kind of story can make you think about your own life and the things that you’re dealing with. Are they really as bad as all that, that you give up? Or will you accept what is, try to change what you can, and keep heading towards the things that you really want? Hindsight is a wonderful thing if used correctly. It can help you see where in your life major things have happened that, at the time, were quite traumatic, but in the long-term actually benefited you, your life, and the lives of those around you in positive ways.

It’s worth reflecting upon your own life right now and the things you’re dealing with. What is the learning for you? How can you use it to push yourself forward and be the best you that you can be?