What Defines You When Life Knocks You Down?

Anxiously HUMAN

Life and lemons? Yes, it happens.

One thing I notice I NEVER DO, is let myself feel sorry for myself for too long. Do I b*tch? Oh yes. Do I curse the universe and complain life is unfair? Certainly. But within a day, I am proactively preparing an attack to kick my problem’s ass.

I hate losing. Being a naturally stubborn and competitive person doesn’t allow me to wallow for long, and being a problem-solver gives me the ingenuity and drive to find an answer.

TIP: There is always an answer for every problem.

It may not be the answer you like, it may not be the answer that is socially acceptable, or the answer your family or friends agree with. But the answer is there if you quiet your excuses and the opinions of others. This is not to say that other people cannot help you, or that you should shun their assistance.

Buttttttt… DON’T PLAY THE VICTIM.

One thing I have learned is that shitty things happen to everyone, but what really matters is how you handle it. I am terrible at asking for help, and I am lucky most my friends realize what a stubborn ass I am. They offer in a way that I don’t feel I am being a burden.

TIP: Appreciate those who help you, not those who enable you.

Anyone can hand you money, or handle your issue for you, or save you from yet another mistake you have made. That being said, it takes a real friend (or fam member) to hold that mirror up and make you accountable, while still being there to support and assist while you handle your business.

Not all things in life are self-inflicted, BUT A LOT OF THEM ARE. Your choices frequently define your consequences, so before you play the blame-game/victim card, take a hard look in the mirror buddy. As an adult, it is your life and what you make it — not your parent’s, not your 3rd grade teacher’s, not your boyfriend/girlfriend’s.

TIP: You are the master of your destiny and the keeper of your temple (body).

If you neglect your priorities, you will have chaos. If you have chaos, your body will suffer. This is a fact not an opinion.

What do you mean priorities?

Well, taking care of yourself is important and not abusing the body God gave you will lead to a happier life. No, I don’t mean eat like a rabbit and never have fun. I mean, health issues can derail your whole life! No matter how good everything else is, if you are sick, LIFE SUCKS.

Let me tell you a little story about a psychologist and how she defined stress:

Imagine you are holding a glass of water for a minute. No big deal, not very heavy correct? Well, let’s say you hold that glass for several hours, it starts to feel a little heavier. What about if you hold that glass for a whole day? It is going to feel very heavy and your arm may go numb. Now just think if you hold it for a week, your arm may atrophy and you may experience paralysis. The same goes for stress and dwelling on thoughts of things going on in your life. The longer you hold onto those thoughts, the less you will feel capable of actually doing anything about them.

The lesson here is, don’t wallow or stress about things that have happened. SH*T HAPPENS. Try to put those things in perspective and save your energy for actually solving the problem or improving the situation.

TIP: Focus on what you can control, and come up with a gameplan.

You are not God, no one expects you to wave your wand and make everything perfect. Just take one day at a time and know that you have NO CONTROL over certain things in the universe, but you can control your reaction to them.

I hope this helps some of you work through the difficult times in life that we all go through. It takes a calm mind and a determined soul to overcome hardships, and these are things that anyone can possess if they don’t get consumed with negative thinking and stress.

You’re a warrior, you will prevail.

xo…G