Life can really get dark sometimes. Stuff can be overwhelming. Things do get difficult at times. People can really get on your nerves. People can really do crazy things, just unthinkable. Things can really look bleak sometimes. A look at the past days show that people can go bizarre. Well-intentioned moves can indeed turn into nightmares. The past days and weeks have been sad and sickening. The heaviness has no words. For once, I didn’t want to talk to anyone. Yes, life sucks sometimes!
The money bag does go empty and the bank account too, not to talk of the physically damaged banks, actions which make no sense whatsoever. Work can be so demanding some days, not to talk of the number of Nigerians who have just lost their jobs because of the recent looting and destruction. The weight of that is just beyond words. Yes, life can really suck!
Children and all the demands they make can get to you. As adults, we are even trying to keep sane, but then, we must deal with ensuring that the kids don’t get too hit emotionally by all that’s happening around them. Life’s daily pressures to make ends meet isn’t funny either, that is, for those who even have any means at all. Then, the challenges of relationships could be draining and heartbreaking. Loneliness, feeling unsupported and being misunderstood are even more common feelings this period. Yes, life sucks!
Marriage and its issues can sometimes be very heavy. So it is, sometimes. Then Business and partnerships can be tasking, including loss of money or property. Plus, personal and family issues with health and wellbeing, which are no less worrying and intimidating. Yes, with this and many more, we clearly see that life truly sucks!
The News on TV, radio, Newspaper and postings on social media, especially at this time, are often filled with sad and heavy stuff that leaves one feeling disillusioned and even uncertain about what information is true or false.
Despite all these situations, well, you are still ALIVE! You are not yet dead! So, life cannot be all dark and doom.
If life were all so sad, heavy and unbelievable then we would have no hope and consolation. We do have much hope and consolation from all the good things and blessings that we can still count in our lives. Life is full of positives and many good things alongside all the negative stuff. The point is, if you create more positives, and focus on the good things that life always has to offer, you will find that the negatives and sad stuff will become small. The bad things will diminish in your life.
By the way, do you know that everything you see as a problem is generated from within? This means that problems will always be there because of our distorted view of self, the world and life itself.
Surely, life tends to always have one thing or the order that you wish were different. So, it is. The ability to look at the bright side of everything is what makes the difference.
In the book, Living with Confidence, Dan Pederson writes, “Life is inherently problematic. Eliminate one problem and another one isn’t far behind. Sometimes the new problem was already there, we just didn’t notice it, because we were busy with a different one. And even after we think we’ve solved a problem; it sometimes surprises us by showing up again later. Our Circumstances can be improved. Our attitude and perception can be improved too. But none of us will ever have everything figured out or reach a state of permanent bliss in our lifetime. Acceptance is one of the important lessons of this life.”
Yes, it is about acceptance. And, in all, remember this: Problems come and go. So, allow them to come as they will also go. You really don’t have to solve it all. You can do what you can and make a positive impact through your action but take easy and lightly that which you really cannot change directly. With this kind of attitude and approach, you will never fail to see the bright side of life.
Take life easy. Have time to be with yourself and understand yourself. And life will be simpler.
We create too much obligations around our lives. Life is a perpetual imbalance. As you solve this, this comes up and so it becomes a life of shifting priorities.
It’s fun when you get into the difficult-at-first habit of looking at the bright side of everything in your life. These three (3) TAS Positive tips may help:
- THINK Positive – See the Good: Believe there is some good in this. It may be hard to see now, but it is there. It has been there. It will always be there!
- ACT Positive – Do something: What can you do now to improve the situation? Do that which you can. If there is nothing you can do, let it be. Keep your peace. Time will take care of it.
- STAY Positive – Move On: Let go of that situation. Free yourself from the obligations that you have set for yourself around it. Except if fulfilling that brings you joy. Else, let it be.
You will find that after the period passes, the bright side of that situation becomes so glaring. This is a lesson that the bright side is always there. Be willing to see it.
Together We Can… focus on the Bright Side of Everything!
So how you Think, Act and Stay… as an individual Matters!
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The OPINION / COLUMN is authored by independent contributors to the National Accord Newspaper. While contributors adhere to our editorial guidelines, they are not employed by the National Accord Newspaper. The perspectives and opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author and do not represent the views of the National Accord Newspaper or its staff.