The missed opportunity is the title of the article written by Roberto Pompeu de Toledo, published in a periodic of national circulation.

The essay runs upon the world’s condition after the terrorist attack of September 11 2001, and presents a very interesting point of view, which begins with the following words:

The deaths, the pain, the fear and grief do not diminish the subject. As if the barbarity taken to unimaginable limits was not enough, September 11 left another terrible legacy: the missed opportunity.

On September 12 2001, mixed with the panic, the crying, the rescue works among the rubbles of the twin towers and the searching for the guilty ones, hope was shining.

That dreadful event could be the starting point to a friendlier world.

It was the right time to act in the name of a less conflicting, less unfair world. It was the right time to congregate nations seeking for solutions which would turn the planet Earth into a less dangerous place to live.

The author goes on, remembering all the things that could be different but are not, as the many leaders who have not realized that a big opportunity was being conceded to the World.

The opportunity of a new beginning.

As every transformation in the World starts with our own, this is a lesson we can also apply in our lives, through a different look upon the suffering which is inflicted on us.

Every painful moment that appears in our lives is a huge opportunity we are given. The opportunity of growing up, of maturing, of rewriting our histories, of starting again.

Imagine life telling us: Stop for a while, think, reflect, start it all over again…

An awkward happening; a destructive torment; an infirmity; the loss of someone; these are chances life gives us to learn precious lessons.

The ones who have the good sense of asking: What is life trying to teach me? - when any kind of afflictions fall upon them and manage to realize the deep reasons for such experiences, they will  begin to live without fears.

They will also achieve a fabulous spiritual conscience of this World.

Existence is guiding us all the time, even if we do not realize it.

Life teaches us every moment.

Life constantly talks to us, showing us the way, the answers, the consequences.

It is up to us to develop the ability of listening, of developing our perception in all levels; from the sensorial, passing through the rational, as far as the intuitive, distinguishing what is being taught.

Revolt, indignation and revenge only complicate our problems, while comprehension and resignation put us on the path to solve them completely.

Francis of Assisi always made references to pain as his little sister, because he knew of its power and utility.

Paul of Tarsus, the Apostle always made references, in his letters, to the spurs which hurt him and made him suffer.

As Francis of Assisi, he also understood his pain, and used to say, inspired:

I overflow of joy amongst all my tribulations.

*  *  *

Life offers us constant opportunities.

Extremely wise will be the ones who manage to realize these invitations, these lessons, and extract from them all the power for the necessary changes.

Do this exercise every time a moment of crisis presents itself in your life.

Change complain, indignation and disappointment for the question:

What is life trying to teach me??

 Spiritist Moment Team based on an article by Roberto Pompeu de Toledo, published in the magazine Veja, on 18 September  2002, in the article entitled O significado do sofrimento, by Sergito de Souza Cavalcanti, extracted from the site www.espirito.org.br and in chapter 7, versicle 4 of II epistle by Paul of Tarsus to the  Corinthians.