How do you look at life?

Life spits out sad things among the happy, hard things among the easy, hurt among the smiles.

Is this surprising?  In ourselves, don't we dish out the same?  We love and hurt.  We make others happy and sad.  We can be mean and selfish and merciful and comforting.  Being on the receiving end of life's handouts is no different than being on the receiving end of people's handouts.

So, what's the trick?  How can we learn to live this type of 'pinball-like' existence that showers us with oxymoronic expressions in a way that is productive, happy and joyful?

Is there any logic that we can use to sort this out? 

What if we just concentrate on the good aspects and shove the other things into oblivion?  Has anyone been able to accomplish this?  If so, please, please enlighten me with that secret.  I've tried, but the beast just doesn't stay in oblivion.

Being a person whose primary love language is quality time, I tend to lean (currently, at least) on the whole, 'quality time is more important than quantity time' thing.  What I mean by that is if we invest ourselves into soaking up the benefits of the positive times and try not to dwell on the bad might be a good option.

OR

Maybe, being careful to try to benefit from both good and bad and focus on the 'how can I learn from this?' and not on how it made me 'feel'.

OR

Repress, repress............EXPLODE!

I know from experience about that one!  It doesn't work.

I do think that it's vital to be real - genuine.  Now, I realize that being real can sometimes be tricky when it comes to irriatating people but we'll save that for another post. 

Being honest and genuine to yourself is a MUST.  Being OPEN to hear from God is the biggest MUST.  Cuz, let's face it, we don't always see right.  Sometimes, He has to rip open the shutters for us.

I do think the answer is the ever elusive BALANCE!  We cannot, and honestly, must not ignore the difficulties; we must embrace them and allow them to work their unique 'magic' in our lives.  We must also welcome in the blessings of life with appreication making the most of them as well.  And of course finding peace in His arms through all.

PS  This is easier said then done!