After many years of employment with the same company and having achieved a level of professional success which involved major responsibility and leadership with the company in major projects, I was building a lifestyle of luxury for myself.

Who would have expected a sudden change in my life at a time that seemed like a perfect dream come true? The only thing I was uneasy about was that my success was totally on a material level. Inside, I was experiencing almost a shocking sensation as if I was dying. I had a growing feeling of emptiness day by day.

One day the inevitable happened. The bubble burst and my dream job was finished. I now had to search for new employment. After a few months I was in an opposite situation financially and had to apply for welfare. Our country home was gone as well as all my furniture and personal belongings. I had to start all over again.

My discomfort in applying for welfare led me to decide I would search for a way to find balance. There was a program available where I could volunteer. I could give back to the community. My life changed from that moment as I worked with people of all ages suffering from addiction. I did not consider myself to be more or less than these people, as in reality I was dealing with my own addictions.

This proved to be an opportunity for me to take an honest look at myself. There were days when my refrigerator was empty and I had nothing to eat. I became a part of the community where people came in crisis. As I also was in crisis, I shared many meals and snacks with them.

The support of the other people in the community assisted me as well as the rural environment with all its beauty and nurturing. I loved to walk in the river, listening to the many birds and enjoying the flowers and the beauty of the land. My creative art proved to be very healing for me as well.

One day, my friend came and introduced me to a person who picked wildflowers to sell. This inspiration led my friend and I to duplicate her idea. Once again I had hope.

The profound lesson in this experience was that the universe is always present and provides us in our need and will give us the way to grow strongly at every stage of life. I am aware now that I cannot control the Universe. I allow and accept that there is Divine order in the Universe which gives me a powerful sense of trust.

My most important lesson from this experience is to give appreciation and thanksgiving for the many gifts of life.