How To Bounce Back From Bad Times And Become A New You
In your attempt to pursue your dreams you often get caught in a series of ordeals and misfortunes. One by one, they become part of your daily routine and seem to want to define your future. “I give up! I did not sign up for this!” are usually the first words that come to mind. You throw in the towel a thousand times in your head in desperate hope to ward bad luck. But is it really what you want?
For those with fierce determination, the pursuit of happiness can turn into a hurdle race which will ultimately lead to victory. For others, it can be the downfall into the pit of despair spiralling down to depression. It is no secret to anyone that life can be a nightmare. What makes it even worse is the responsibility you bear in the outcome. If it is true that “as you make your bed, you must lie in it”, circumstances sometimes really get out of hand. Even with the best of life strategies, one can never predict what life will bring along the way. Besides, feeling powerless and worthless often triggers guilt and low self-esteem. But, it does not have to be this way.
As best-selling author Vicktor E. Frankl puts it in Man’s Search for Meaning “In some ways suffering ceases to be suffering at the moment it finds a meaning, such as the meaning of a sacrifice.” In other words, finding a sense of purpose will alleviate your present pain, help you focus on the true meaning of life and find significance.
Therefore it is important to:
Understand Your Play
We will all cross swords with failure one day. No matter how big the mistake, what matters most is to acknowledge it, forgive yourself, deal with the situation and move ahead. You can also choose to forgive those who did you wrong and move on. In so doing, you will discover that true freedom is found in the way you choose to respond to life and other’s wrongdoings. Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Wangari Maathai, chose to take a stand against hatred by empowering other women for the sake of democracy and peace. What she did to help respond to the needs of a small group of rural Kenyan women would eventually become one of the world’s most powerful movements.
Change Your Insight
Taking time to reflect while transitioning will help gain new perspectives and wisdom. Looking outside yourself will help you better understand the needs around you and how to respond to them. You will also notice that no matter your passion, it comes in alignment with a need around you. Understanding your impact on others will ultimately give room to the maturity that will allow your old wounds to become the medicine for someone else’s pain.
Know How To Surround Yourself
Choose who you want to hang out with. Some people have the gift of dragging you down. There is nothing wrong with setting boundaries, protect your inner space and define your world. You don’t have to please everyone.
“Surround Yourself Only With People Who Are Going To Lift You Higher” — Oprah
Be Patient With Yourself
Be careful how you treat yourself in the process for it will determine how you treat others. Self-flagellation or self-pity can only cause others to flee. But setting new goals and rewarding your efforts, will enable you to embrace your vulnerability and foster the positive attitude that will propel change. Take this time to meet you. Come on, this is an amazing opportunity to declutter your life.
Have Faith, Be Confident and Don’t Give Up
If it is good to be in tuned with your feelings, it is even better to maintain balance by having a positive inner attitude, keep the faith, trust your instinct and take action. By doing so, you will make the most of your journey on earth. And remember: adversity is the cornerstone of resilience, a rare and much sought-after quality in a leader nowadays.
