The Year Of The Roller-Coaster

As the Holiday season is slowly coming upon us, I reflect on how blessed I was this year. It was nothing short of a roller-coaster ride — from reaching the highest of the highs, to sinking to the lowest of the lows.

But this year, I was incredibly blessed. For one, I learned so many lessons. Some were harsh. Very harsh. But in the end, these powerful lessons all gave me so much to be thankful for.

Yes, it was also a tumultuous year to say the least, including a separation and divorce, and the passing away of several great friends and people I looked up to (such as Corey Rudl, Peter Drucker, Richard Pryor, among many others).

But in the process…

… I learned what love truly is.

I’m at peace with myself and happier than ever. In business, I stopped taking on new clients, launched new products and reached new levels of success. And I accomplished many of these with, and with the help of, my next and most important blessing — which is, above all, the fact that in 2005 I also found my Soul Mate.

I lost so much this year. But She was there with me, for me and by me. And I’ve gained 10 times more than I lost, that’s for sure. Of course, some of these losses were unavoidable. Others were choices. But many were at the same time bittersweet and even painful.

One of them is the fact that, while I may have separated from my ex-wife, I miss my stepdaugther Megan. I love her so much. (Daddy loves you, sweetheart.) But another loss is somehow affecting me more, particularly at this time of the year. And of late, it seems to weigh heavily on my mind.

This one loss in particular is my “baby.” You see, my ex-wife and I used to have two dogs. She kept both of them when we separated, and I haven’t seen them in close to eight months. One is Tia, a Shih-Tzu whose my ex-wife’s favorite.

But the other is my baby, Sacha. You can see her picture at the top of this blog, with Tia in the background. (While Sacha loved the camera, Tia was always shutter-shy.)

I remember the day I got Sacha from the pet store when she was only a few weeks old. She’s a Lhaso Apso who often sat by my side as I worked on copy, and slept with me in bed and comforted me during many lonely nights. And I miss her so much.

Thanfully, however, my fiancÃ©e Sylvie (and now I) have eight — yes, eight! — cats. Oscar, Dusty, Tippers, Nefertiti (or “Titi” for short), Stardust, Neige (french for “Snow”), Tiny and Puffy.

Yes, I do have a lot to be thankful for indeed.

During this time of reflection, gratitude and resolution, I hope you take some time to see the many blessings in your life. As everyting is a lesson. Everything. From the people who harm you… to the people who charm you. From the events that hurt you… to the events that heal you. From the losses for you which you bereave… to the gains that make you believe.

My only wish is that you, too, learn from the lessons in your life. Or at least look at everything as lessons. May you not only be as blessed as I am but also have the courage and wisdom to see them that way.

Have a peaceful, happy and prosperous 2006.

About the Author

Michel Fortin is a direct response copywriter, author, speaker, consultant, and CEO of The Success Doctor, Inc. Visit his blog and signup free to get tested conversion strategies and response-boosting tips by email, along with blog updates, news, and more! Go now to http://www.michelfortin.com.

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6 Replies to “The Year Of The Roller-Coaster”

Comments

From Craig Perrine

Michel,

My hat’s off to you my friend. You’ve walked some hot coals in 2005 and now it’s time to turn around, sit back, and roast some marshmallows while your feet cool off.

I’m incredibly happy for you and Sylvie and trust that this coming year will be an even greater blessing for you and those you love.

Here’s to you both and a Happy Holiday and New Year!

Craig
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Author's Website December 15th, 2005
From Michael Baker

Michael,

The ups and downs, highs and lows of life are simply the heartbeats of life. Our hearts beat over and over and over in a natural rhythm. First in constricts in a massive effort to surge blood to all parts of our body and then it rest. But only for a second, then it does it again. And again. And again. The peaks and valleys show up on an EKG tape, just like they do in life. Peaks and valleys, highs and lows.

In life, the peaks are wonderful because they afford a glorious view of what’s ahead of us and what’s behind us. The valleys ahead of us look like fertile valleys of opportunity. The valleys we ascended from usually look like the desolation of the Grand Canyon, which still have a hidden beauty to them. No matter what we do, peaks and valleys are a natural part of life. So enjoy the views when you’re on top and rest in the valleys because that’s when you prepare for the next great push that sustains life. Relish the journey and celebrate life at every phase of the journey, whether it’s heading up or heading down.

The alternative is a “flat-line” life. They suck! So enjoy the trip, the views and the resting points. They’re all much better when you have someone beside you to share them with!

Congratulations and Merry Christmas to you and your new bride.
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Author's Website December 15th, 2005
From ken calhoun

Michel, it’s great to see how close you and Sylvie are, and I wish you the best for a wonderful holiday season and beyond. Life has so many transitions; you’ve demonstrated grace under tremendous pressure and emerged from it all successfully, and are a terrific role model. In many ways. Take care…

Best wishes,

ken
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Author's Website December 16th, 2005
From Judy Vorfeld

Thanks for sharing your joys and sorrows, and for endorsing the truth that everything in life is a lesson. In the last year or so I’ve experienced some rather extreme highs and lows, and I too choose to see rays of sunshine when I’m being peppered with problems.

It’s easy to say, “Oh, no! Not again!” But the right attitude is to say, “Oh wow! Another opportunity to stretch and grow!” Sometimes this happens when a client doesn’t pay what is owed and I have bills waiting to be paid, but it also happens when I make mistakes and disappoint others.

Michel, you are a special person. You give inspiration to many of us in the Internet community. Thank you for being a constant in my life.
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Author's Website December 31st, 2005
From Weight

For everyone else that is married and happy divorce is just another thing, but when you are going through it, no matter how hard the separation is- it is harder on your heart.
Remember forgiveness is the best thing.
Anna W.
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Author's Website January 23rd, 2006
From Jannette Murray

Michel,

Glad you’ve found your soul mate.

I, too have had a major life change in the last year and seven months. I found and met my Soul Twin, (like identical twins, where the soul had divided, and now re-united, I’m told).

We married last May, so celebrate our one year anniversary in six weeks. He is worth the 42-year wait! We are working on youthing, so to enjoy our Golden Years together.

All the best to you and Sylvie. That’s a lot of cats!

Warmly,

Jannette

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Author's Website March 31st, 2006

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