Look For The Silver Lining

I always have fun referencing old songs to illustrate my message. So once again, an old song from before my time, but ever true in any moment. The song, Look For The Silver Lining by Jerome Kern in 1919. Wow, that’s a long time ago, yet here we are in this day and age and the words still and always will apply.

“Look for the silver lining, when e’er a cloud appears in the blue. Remember somewhere, the sun is shining and so the right thing to do is make it shine for you. A heart full of joy and gladness will always banish sadness and strife. So always look for the silver lining and try to find the sunny side of life.”

When we look for the silver lining in any moment of a difficult situation, we are looking for the light that is hidden within it that can shine a ray of hope. Remember, we live in a duality and there are always two sides to everything. One cannot exist without the other. Darkness cannot exist without light. All that is, always has the opposite ready and waiting. It may seem hidden, but with calm patience and intention, we can find it.

A helpful way to find that silver lining could be to look for even the tiniest bit of gratitude. Perhaps even being grateful knowing that there are things in our lives to be grateful for even if one can’t sense them in the moment. The unhappy feeling we have will pass as there is nothing that is permanent on this plane of existence and change is inevitable. We can be grateful for that.

When we see others struggling with life holding onto stories of the past or fears of the future, perhaps the doorway to a brighter day is looking for a consoling aspect so to speak. Finding another view of their story can help, as there are always two sides to everything. But remember this too. Our stories are our trap, and it is wise to ask ourselves – Is this story from the past happening to me now in this moment? Or is the fearful idea we have of the future really happening now? Suffice to say that some of our sad or fearful moments spring forth from times, places and events that are not happening NOW! Thoughts that are focused on our stories are only thoughts. You cannot touch them physically; they are simply noise that is rummaging around in our heads and distracting us from peace and contentment.

Gratitude is a great help to find that silver lining. The more you discover things you are grateful for, the lighter you will become. Life is too precious to dwell on the darkness and when we take the time and effort to look for something positive within it all, we are honoring the beauty of the life we have come to live.

Remember, look for the silver lining and try to find the sunny side of life.