Get Better, Not Bitter

Are you facing a challenge in your life at the moment?

Life is often a series of ‘ups and downs.’ Challenges and trials seem to be part of what life on Planet Earth is all about. When we face these problematic moments, it calls for two essential qualities; Courage, and Wisdom. These are qualities not often mentioned in this fast-paced life that we live. Things are so hectic that many times we only can react to issues as they come without really taking the time to analyze our steps and to plan a strategy that will give us lasting benefits.

The first way to be ready and able to face these challenges is to accept that no matter how hard we try we can’t avoid difficulties. Consider the following quotes:

“A ship is safe in the harbor, but that is not what ships were built for.” – John A. Shedd

“Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes.” – Gandhi

“It’s not always what happens to us that is the most important but how we react to what happens to us.”

You have probably heard statements like these before. Regardless of what issue we face it is we who decide whether the challenge will make us better or bitter.

Here’s an interesting example: Did you know that golf balls were originally made with smooth surfaces? Eventually, they discovered that after the golf balls were “roughed up” a little, players could get more distance out of them. So, they started manufacturing them with dimpled surfaces.

We can compare this to the life we live; it’s those challenging circumstances, being “roughed up” a little, that molds and trains us and propels us even further in life. Most of us become ‘better,’ that is, more empathetic, caring, and more in tune with the needs of others after we have endured some form of trial.

“Adversity introduces a man to himself” – Albert Einstein.

“The gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man perfected without trials.” ― Confucius

So whatever trial we are currently facing; family issues, financial woes or perhaps even a severe health issue, use that trial to your advantage. View this as an opportunity to strengthen the inner person. Force yourself to take the time out to analyze your situation and muster up the courage and wisdom needed so that you can overcome your trial in a way that makes you BETTER and not BITTER.

Learn From The Wise Old Donkey

One day a farmer’s donkey fell into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do.

Finally, he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway. It just wasn’t worth it to retrieve the donkey. He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They each grabbed a shovel and began to hurl dirt into the well. At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly.

Then, to everyone’s amazement, he quieted down. A few shovels later, the farmer looked down the well and was astonished at what he saw. As every shovel of dirt hit his back, the donkey would shake it off and take a step up.

As the farmer’s neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and trotted off.

The Moral: Life is going to shovel dirt on you of all kinds. The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up. Each one of our troubles is a stepping stone. We can get out of the deepest wells by not stopping, never giving up! Shake it off and take a step up!

“You must be the change you want to see in the world” – Gandhi.

Has life shoveled its share of dirt on you? Chances are you are not alone. Here’s the trick to not getting overwhelmed, remember: It’s not what happens to you but how you react which will make the difference in your survival of even the darkest moments.

 

The advice and suggestions in this article are among the many topics we discuss with our patients when they go through the emotional therapies we offer. Emotional healing is a crucial component to recovering from cancer or any other chronic illness.

 

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