Is your life going the way you planned it? Are you living out your dreams? Or are you on the verge of giving up? Are you working at a job which seems fruitless? Is your relationship hitting a brick wall? Do you get a little extra money, and then an unexpected expense saps the money as quickly as you got it?
I’ve been there and some days I’m still there. Sometimes life is all about moving ahead when the road is long and hard. When you’re exhausted and weary, it’s essential you take charge before you burn out or give up.
Like you, I’ve been there, done that! I never planned to reconnect with the love of my life 16 years ago. I never planned on leaving my dream job. I never planned on being diagnosed with MS. Life happens and the plan changes.
The best skill you can gain in life is the ability to navigate unexpected turns and setbacks life throws your way. NEWS FLASH!!!! Life doesn’t always go the way we plan it. The truth is, it rarely does. So, let your challenges build character and perseverance to empower you to stay the course and win your race.
Here are some tips from the amazing Valerie Burton on just how to do this:
1. Stop expecting things to be easy.
The quickest way to become discouraged is to expect life to unfold just the way you planned it, with few or no obstacles or opposition. Raise your hand if this is you? I know I’m not alone here. Life is so much easier when the expected challenges appear – you know, the ones you planned for. Don’t get caught up in feeling sorry for yourself when hard times come. This is the perfect opportunity to tap into your strengths, character, and faith to courageously face whatever life throws your way.
2. Get some fresh air.
When your inner gremlins get the best of you, and you start traveling down that dark tunnel, it might mean you need a break. Have you been focusing on your problems, rehashing them over and over in your mind? Remember, focusing on the negative brings us more negative. Take a walk. Do something different. Get out of your normal environment. It can energize you and redirect your thoughts.
3. Get some perspective.
Fresh air will give you perspective and clear out some of the cobwebs or maybe even blow away the inner gremlins. The greatest difference comes when we focus on someone else’s life. When you start focusing too much on what’s wrong in your life, force yourself to notice what’s right. STOP and think of three things you’re grateful for. Believe me, you probably can’t stop at three! Now, open your eyes to others’ stories about determination and strength. Despite what we may think, we are not the first person to face our challenges. Look for someone who has gone through them with strength and grace? When you realize you are not alone, you will feel the rush of power. In face, you may discover someone who has triumphed through far greater challenges and can be a source of inspiration.
4. Commit to running your race to the best of your ability.
Who knows why you are going through what you are going through? It may not even be worth the energy of attempting to figure it out. What is worth your energy is expanding your character and capacity in the process. Think about the ways will you become a better person by persevering through this? What growth do you intend to glean through it all?
5. Be an inspiration.
Yes, you can be an inspiration for someone else. Your story may be just the thing someone else needs to hear to overcome their obstacle. Every person who has faced a challenge has overcome them with their attitude, determination, and faith. Tackle your challenges in a way your children, friends, family, and coworkers will be inspired by your example. You can give others hope by simply acting with the courage to live and love fully in the face of fear and disappointment.
The first time I was told I was an inspiration, I laughed because the truth is, I never believed I could inspire anyone. My life was my life full of challenges and obstacles. Some I have overcome and some inner gremlins I still do battle with. About 2 years ago, when the diagnosis of MS was “unofficially” given, I made a decision to allow my setbacks to build character and perseverance. Truth was my life’s journey had brought me to where I was today. The challenges were actually a blessing in disguise. Do I always understand it? NO! Do I always like it? NO!
If you are struggling, I challenge you to stop feeling sorry for yourself. It is time to gain some perspective which will inspire and empower you. When you get discouraged, what thought will lift you up? Share it with us, maybe you can inspire someone else…
Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!
Hope Wissel 