There's Good In Every Struggle


I contemplated writing this post for many reasons; the biggest was that no one loves discussing their struggles. Then I realized that's also why I had to write this post. 

Everyone will struggle in their life. But, unfortunately, some struggle more than others, and I'm convinced it's because they've never developed the tools to face them head-on. 

Listen, it's not a matter of if but of when and how many. During those times, you will only have control over how you react and respond to your struggles.

The good news is that you can and will make it through them.

Being optimistic during those times can be very challenging. That's why staying close to your support system is extremely important. This could be your family, friends, or partner.   

They can help guide you because, during these times, you most likely will not be thinking clearly or acting rationally due to your heightened emotional status.  

I'm a true believer you can find something positive in every difficult situation in your life, even if it takes you years to realize or see it. I promise you; it's there. 

No matter what happens in your life, something positive will come from that experience. I want to share some things I've been through and how I found the positives. 

When I was 25 years old, engaged to be married, I was on a business trip in Seattle, and the next day happened to be my 26th birthday.  

I started my day with no idea that my fiancee would later call to tell me she was seeing someone else and that our engagement was off.

I'd heard from other friends that something was going on with my fiancee and another guy, but when I asked, she said no. So I believed her even though I had my doubts. 

So when this happened, I was devastated and angry at her for doing this to me. I told myself, how could she do this? I was in a poor me stage; this was all her fault. 

Let me tell you, she was right to break it off; we would have never made it because we had grown apart over the years, neglected, and taken each other for granted. 

It took me a long time to realize I was also at fault, and she was right (I had to let a lot of anger go) in breaking things off and that something good came out of this situation.  

We had many great times together, and I took so many positive things from that relationship that made me a better person. 

I was thankful to be able to see her years later to apologize for how I handled things and thank her for everything we shared. We shared a laugh and found a little peace from our past.  

This life lesson has stayed with me to this day; it takes two in every situation like this, and you cannot blame just one person. 

If you have read some of my other posts (thank you if you have), then you know the saying from my grandfather, "life gives the test first and the lesson after." The key is to learn from your past experiences to understand how to handle things when something happens again.  

We live life forward and understand it backward. Those are the lessons. 

I don't care how old you are now; you will always be learning, which is beautiful; embrace it. 

As you gain more experience, some of those struggles become easier to handle. However, they will never go away. 

Here is another life experience from when I was 14 years old. 

I've always had a soft spot and fondness for the elderly; nothing has changed. They've seen and done so much in the world, yet many young people discount them.  

If your grandparents are still alive, I implore you to spend time with them; not only do they have a ton of wisdom they can impart to you, the time you spend with them will mean the world to them.

I was a dishwasher at a retirement/care facility. Some of my friends (who did not have a job, but then again, I was only 14) would make fun of me for working there. 

It wasn't easy when they made of me, but it was so rewarding, and I tried not to care what they thought, but at that age, fitting in and being accepted was so important. 

Now I understand I cared more than I should have. So, you know that life lesson I mentioned earlier? Here it is again. 

Working there and spending time with them was amazing; I know it meant a lot to them, but they might not have realized how much it truly meant to me. 

Yeah, I just washed the dishes, but they were always excited to see me when I came to work, and I was excited to see them. It was hard for me because some of them never had any visitors; they were all alone until they passed. 

That is one thing I never want to experience. I do not want to be left alone in a facility until I move on to the afterlife.  

Ironically, when my grandmother was 96, she was in that same facility, and I made it a point to see her whenever I was in town. But, of course, I also knew my family was visiting her regularly. 

One day, I came into work, and my boss was sitting there (which was not expected); she asked me to sit down, and I immediately knew something wasn't right. 

She said we must let you go; we cannot afford to keep you. So I remember getting on my bike, riding home, and crying.  

I was devastated; I had just lost my job, not because I didn't do a good job (that came later in life. lol), but because they had to save money. So I came home, slammed the door, and was so mad. 

My mother asked why I slammed the door and what was wrong. I told her what happened; she said those things in life happen, and there is nothing you can do about it.

I was worried about what my friends would say, but my mother quickly reminded me that most of them had never worked before, so keep my head high. 

There was a life lesson letting me know some things are just out of your control; all you can do is accept them and move on. The sooner you learn that, the better equipped you will be to deal with it when it happens again.  

Thank you for allowing me to share my life experiences; I hope you find value in them. 

Always remember, there is no such thing as the right time in life, there's just time, and you get to choose what you do with it,  

Thank you for your time. 

Paul 
ZUP2U


Leave a comment


Please note, comments must be approved before they are published