A few years ago as Program Director for One Heart Bulgaria, I managed a container of humanitarian goods and medical supplies for Bulgarian orphans. The entire project from start to finish took about 9 months to organize and raise funding, etc. The night before our shipment was to leave someone broke into our container and stole 200 heart catheters, soccer balls, and other toys. When I heard the news, I fell to the ground and wept. I felt like I had failed the children and the doctors who had donated the heart catheters worth several thousand dollars.
I was in agony for a few hours until I spoke with my aunt who said, “give thanks for all things…even this.” How could I give thanks for theft of life saving equipment? Even though I doubted, I took her advice. I turned it over to God and said, “thank you for this opportunity to learn and grow…” and I started to heal and see that some good cou
ld come out of this. PRESS. We called the news and we got coverage we otherwise would not have had…every Utah TV news network and paper carried the story. Awareness grew for our little non-profit organization.
There’s a good ending too, ironically a few months later while I was cleaning my garage I found an additional 200 heart catheters that I had not known were there, that were saved and preserved! The exact number that had been stolen. Again I wept. I sent them immediately to a friend who was going to Bulgaria and hand carried them that next week.
We never know what will become of our pain.
Today’s Magic Wand: There’s a bizillion reasons we experience pain… here’s some tips from my “emotional first aid kit.”
- Forgive & Let it go (you may have to do this more than once!)
- Pray/Meditate; reconnect with who you are
- Deep Breathing Exercises/Yoga
- Go for a Walk, Dig in Your Garden, Give a Child a Hug…
- Listen to Uplifting Music and Sing at the Top of Your Lungs (my favs: Courage to Shine, Josh Groban, “You Raise Me Up”, Bliss’s “Hundred Thousand Angels”, Mandy Moore’s “Only Hope”, Lee Ann Womack, “I Hope You Dance”, Alison Kraus, “A Living Prayer (You Tube video)
- Create a piece of art…color, draw, paint, scrapbook
- Listen to a Motivational CD (The Secret, The Power of Intention, etc.)
- Distract yourself with a special treat (ice cream, paint your toenails, watch a show, schedule a massage)
- Give thanks that the experience brought you added perspective and opportunity to work on a weakness or personality trait that needs some improvement, be positive
I’ve always believed the Big Guy provides where needed most.
There have been times in raising my children that I just could not figure out HOW we made it, but somehow the means were ALWAYS there — when I needed it most.
Great story! Thanks for sharing.
Kelly, you were amazing with this humanitarian container project on behalf of those little Bulgarian orphans we love! Knowing what a huge and difficult project it would be, none of the rest of us at One Heart Bulgaria wanted to take it on, and so we were so ecstatic that you managed the entire project. It was the same thing with our benefit CD that you created for us. You are definately the one woman I know who knows how to get anything accomplished…and in such a variety of areas! You just simply find a way. These business women featured on your website should all consider themselves lucky that they are in contact with you as it can only boost their image and business further! Oh…may I add one more thing to your tips for healing a broken heart? SERVE SOMEONE! When we help someone else, it truly does get our minds off of our own problems. Our non-profit for the Bulgairan orphans is my anti-depressent!
Thank you Deborah. Serving One Heart Bulgaria is always very rewarding. You are doing an amazing job as the executive director~ congrats on all the new programs you are creating there.
I love your reminder of how service really does heal and help us move on from our own troubles! Anyone seeking a service project, we have thousands of ideas for you or your family with http://www.oneheart-bg.org helping orphans!