Blessings In Disguise

By Reisa Mehlman on April 18, 2011 1:05 PM

Sometimes what looks like a curse, is actually a blessing.

About a month ago, I had the opportunity to go on a retreat to study Donna Eden Energy Medicine. Considering all that was going on in my life and my business (a situation, which seems to be more of a constant than an anomaly), I wasn't sure if I could afford to take the time off. But then, after much deliberation and discussion, I decided to go.

It was amazing to work with such gifted and loving women in an environment that was endowed with a spirit of openness and cooperation. It is truly a credit to the leaders of this retreat and it was a blessing to step off the merry go round of routine and come back with a clearer, calmer perspective and a lot of knowledge gained. I had a wonderful experience.

I had left the care of my two sweet dogs in the hands of my trusted and highly-skilled dog sitter, Erin, who is a vet tech. I felt confident of her ability; however, when I returned, Abu, my Pekingese rescue, who is a very sensitive soul, began suffering with an intestinal disorder. After several visits to the vet that ruled out infection or parasites, I began to think that his problem was caused by emotional distress. To make matters worse, Ginger, my Shih Tsu/Maltese cross, came down with the same nasty diarrhea. Can you say, "Messy"?

So began a course of medicines accompanied by a bland diet of boiled rice and boiled chicken. I have to admit that I find it funny to t's funny to cook more for my pets than I do for myself, but then, what's the alternative? (Ah, the caretaker's lament!)

After about four weeks of this plan, my dogs seemed to be on the mend, but I can't say that it was easy for them or for me: giving them medicine twice to three times a day, (which they don't like - who does?), cooking for two meals a day, cleaning them after bathroom trips, and eliminating treats. It was a total shift of their dietary regimen and an addition to my already taxed schedule. So, while I was blessed with the experience of having gone to study Eden Energy Medicine, I felt like I was paying for having left my pets. But as I thought about this, it struck me: Four weeks of a new diet for them had brought about some wonderful changes.

Prior to my trip, treat-giving had become something of an annoyance as Ginger, who is already an intelligent and very vocal pup, would bark to demand multiple treats, especially at the end of the day, when I was tired and it's more difficult to say "no." It had become a very bad habit. Now, that habit was gone! Then, I also realized that Ginger, who, as a result of her breed, can be prone to eye discharge, was experiencing much less of this problem too! What a blessing! And all as a result of the stomach bug that prompted the change in diet.

So, when things happen, it's not always easy to determine whether they are good or bad, a blessing or a curse until we are able to see them through. Change is unsettling and requires patience and time for adjustment, which isn't always easy to see as a positive. And yet, I'm working to change my attitude towards change so that I don't have to put myself through the ringer, having regret or judgment when so often, the outcome will right itself.