Life isn’t perfect. There’s going to be ups and downs. Hiccups and struggles. Big and small. Life is not one ideal experience after the other. We all want to be happy and want the world, but that’s just not the case. We will go thru times that will test our resilience. And I am no different.
It’s been an eventful and tough couple of months as I navigate relationship issues. It’s been a test to say the least. But, I’m thankful to have a healthy support network of friends and family members that I can fall back on and lean on thru tough times. It’s something that I am grateful for everyday.
During these times, all I can do is take it one step at a time. Appreciate the simple things in life. Like a breath of fresh air. The changing autumn leaves. The beautiful color of the bright blue sky. Little things that make me remember that I’m still alive. That life is filled with positivity if we look hard enough. That there is always hope around the corner.
I like to see things as optimistically as possible. It’s tough when things aren’t going your way. When external circumstances are swirling around you. But it’s important to realize that both the good and bad times won’t last. That it’s just a temporal blip in this grand scale of things called the universe.
We are all changing. For better or worse. It’s really in the eye of the beholder. It’s up to our perspective to determine. And all we can do is take baby steps for further improvement.
No need to reminisce about the past. Nor worry too much about the distant future. Just take it one step at a time. That’s what I continue to tell myself these days. Putting one foot in front of the other. Following my goals and plans for myself. Investing in my personal growth and development. Little things that make life fulfilling and purposeful.
I try to stay active in my hobbies. In Toastmasters. In meditation. In learning philosophy. In things that I find to be enjoyable and a good escape so to speak. I’m thankful to have a lot going on in that area of my life. And it’s important to follow your passion and follow the things that interest you. Because that’s what makes life all the more fulfilling.
I think when we go thru tough times, it’s important to not look too far ahead. Yes, it’s nice to have things to look forward to. But, just enjoy the present moment. Enjoy the little things and constantly remind yourself of the good things in your life. The things that you can be grateful for. That puts things into perspective. Because quite frankly, many people in this world have it a lot worse than you do.
But, don’t compare for comparison’s sake. No need to look at the poor starving kids in third world countries. Nor do you need to obsess over the latest posts of Instagram models that seem to have their whole lives and acts together. It’s one end of the spectrum to the other. Instead, just focus on your self development. Set some goals for you to achieve. Think of the next big project you want to pursue.
Hang out with your good friends and go out and do what makes you happy. It’s important to surround yourself with supportive people that look after your development. And it’s important that you practice appreciation for the simple things in life. Because not everyone is a thrill-seeker looking for the next skydiving adventure around the corner.
So, baby steps. One step. Two steps. Three steps. That’s what I keep on telling myself. Move forward at the end of the day. And look back with appreciation, but no need to dwell too much in it neither. I’ve been googling online about ways to be happy on your own. How to appreciate the simple life.
And I’ve gotten a lot of useful advice out there. There are many self-help articles out there that try to make life a little bit easier for us all. And I’m grateful for that. But, at the end of the day, it’s up to myself to apply those advice. And turn it into practical gold.
It’s important to pat yourself on the back for the little wins that you accumulate on a daily basis. The small tasks that you achieve in the morning. The challenges that you’ve overcome or at least faced head on. The small acts of kindness that you do for your friends and family. It’s important to celebrate the small wins. Because it’s the small things that eventually lead to big victories.
So, continue practicing gratitude. Continue practicing appreciation and acceptance. And know that in the grand scheme of things, everything will be okay. Humans are resilient creatures. And we just need to take it one step at a time. Baby steps. Keep it simple, because life really is not as complicated as we make it out to be. Just do things that interest you and make you happy. Surround yourself with supportive people. Do random acts of kindness to your friends and family members every day. Take care of yourself mentally and physically. And at the end of the day, that’s all you need to do.
Good things will happen to those that are persistent, resilient, and patient. So, when the bad times inevitably come, accept it with open arms. Because they are simply another way to learn and improve yourself along your personal journey of self-development. It’s easier said than done. But when there’s a will, there’s a way.
So when life gives you lemons, take it one step at a time. Seek support from others when necessary. Pursue your interests. And live a life of fulfilling goals and purpose. You won’t regret it.