Everything that is, is a beginning

I watched the Super Bowl on Sunday, saw the photos of the disappointed Colts, and walked into my office on Monday and was struck once again at the meaningfulness of the large fabric hanging on my wall. If you haven't seen it (feel free to stop by my office any time - my door is always open), it is quite large, made of rather strongly colored felt pieces, not particularly attractive nor in good shape. But to me it suggests a sunrise and has the words: Everything that is, is a beginning. I didn't make it, didn't buy it, it wasn't given to me (my college roommate got it from her ex-boyfriend's family after the break-up), but it has been with me for a long, long time.

It has never failed to be a reminder of better times to come when faced with a disappointment, a crisis, an unexpected and unwanted change. It has never failed as a reminder that I have gotten over that disappointment, crisis, change and am still standing, still have friends, still have family and still have the ability to move forward from that new beginning. I hope that it has been inspiring for others that have seen it while visiting my office.

I hope that Peyton Manning has something equally encouraging in his life - we all should. We need that reminder that we can make survive, take charge of our lives once more, and find our new path. Being a librarian, I think books as well, and there are so many that can be of help. The Book of Awakening: having the life you want by being present to the life you have, by Mark Nepo, Stumbling on Happiness, by Daniel Gilbert, Finding Beauty in a Broken World, by Terry Tempest Williams are just a few to consider.

I would love to hear what books you have found helpful in tough times. Share the titles so that we all can benefit. Oh, and remember to drop by and check out that wall hanging.