All of us have plans. Plans for ourselves: plans for our family, career, love life, spiritual fulfillment, retirement and even the exciting travel goals occupy our existence. Sometimes, a situation doesn’t go the way it is supposed to be. Here is my list of looking on the positive side of it because the temptation to go on self-pity and self-doubt is so GREAT that you feel the world is against you.
- The circumstances are teaching you a LESSON.
Why did I get this illness? Maybe, you are already abusing your body. You are not getting any younger. Your body may be screaming at you to take good care of yourself but you didn’t listen.
Why didn’t I get the promotion? Maybe because it is not yet your time, the competition has an advantage or maybe you need to spend more time with your family.
Why did I fail this test? Maybe you didn’t prepare enough in your studies or you were too anxious to focus.
Why do I keep falling in love with the person who doesn’t treat me right? Maybe because they see how you love yourself. They are just copying how you treat your own self.
It is up to you now to see the LESSON that the events are telling you and do something about it. Deep inside you, you already know the answer. You are just too stubborn to change.
Photo by Oliver Cole
- It enhances the VIRTUE YOU NEED TO IMPROVE ON.
Do you need to improve your PATIENCE? You already did everything in your power to do what is right. The plans were followed to the tiniest detail. Still, you have to wait. The agony of waiting if it works out can really get on your nerves… PATIENCE, my dear reader, PATIENCE.
Do you need to develop TRUST? You cannot do everything so you need to put some trust in other people you consider trustworthy. You need the help of others for support and guidance.
It is easy to fall in love but the HOW TO SHOW ONE’S LOVE is a bit tricky. Other people show their love through gifts, others by giving their precious time and some by hugging and kissing. You thought you are already sending your love to your loved one but on their end, they don’t feel it. You have a lifetime to learn this because people change.
Photo by Skye Studios
- It strengthens your FAITH.
I am a Catholic and my favorite song is Don Moen’s “ God will make a way.” Sometimes, I don’t understand the challenges that come my way. There were some issues that I would never think could happen BUT IT DID.
After doing your best, one more thing that you can do is offer your decisions, your doubts and worries to the Lord. My friends usually say to me when I feel down “Hope for the best.” “God is good all the time.”
Photo by Nathan Dumlao
- It HUMBLES YOU.
Occasionally, some people are so successful, they often think that their well-planned ideas would always come out perfect. They became so full of themselves, big-headed know-it-all individuals. When conditions start to crumble, they start to realize that they cannot control everything. Humility is their only exit especially when they looked down upon people they considered inferior. Nobody’s perfect.
Photo by Ben White
- Your MATURITY level goes up.
When your plans go awry, there is no choice but to deal with it like a mature adult. You are no longer childish but an adult absorbing knowledge and wisdom as you go along. Look back on the situations you dealt with like a pro. You can now say you are more mature than ever before. Like in a video game, next level unlocked!
Photo by Aatik Tasneem
- It gives you the opportunity to know who your TRUE friends are and family that cares for you.
When you are downhearted and lost, the people who are still with you are the ones who are true. They love you as you are. They will give advice and it is up to your attitude on how to respond to it. Their way of saying it may be offensive to you but dig deeper into the content they are sending across. It is for your own good.
Photo by Dani Vivanco
- It is one way of meeting people you NEED in your life.
Plans went down the drain. You feel hopeless, desperate. Then you meet people from ordinary places that will say or do something that will help you go out from the abyss of your depression. There is a reason why you met them.
- It is redirecting you to something BETTER.
Look at the signs. This is your fourth failed attempt to get a visa in the country of your dreams. Maybe your better future is not in the country you are applying for. It could be in your own country or another country that could give you a better break. The alternative is just waiting for you.
Photo by Jon Tyson
- It is a PART OF LIFE which means you are not dead yet.
It is so good to be alive now! My mother usually says to me when I feel negative “This too shall pass.” When you feel overwhelmed, bear in mind that it is a part of life and it will not be permanent. During that moment, you feel the burden of sorrow on your shoulders. You want to cry, please do. You want to scream because of frustration, anger and despair, please do ( on a pillow, the neighbors might hear).
However, the good news is you are still alive! You don’t know yet what the future holds for you. Don’t feel dead inside because you are not.
Photo by Kristina Wagner
- It helps you appreciate more the JOYS that come with the adversity.
Finally, you found the solution to that issue that has bothered you for months or years. Congratulations! Cheers! Let’s celebrate! Don’t go to the next issue and be serious about it. Savor the moment of your freedom, your triumph! Yeah! Good on you!
The gift of bliss has arrived when all worked in your favor. Isn’t it wonderful to have that smile on your face after overcoming the pain, the melancholy, the desperation? You wouldn’t have that feeling if everything was all rainbows and flowers.
My dear reader, I wish you well. We all have our shortcomings when we face the misfortunes that come our way. That makes us human. But as a human being, we also have our flexible minds to think of ways we can get better. We owe this to ourselves.
Photo by Nathan Lemon
