Life always seems to present us with innumerable challenges and problems on a frequent basis and at times we feel it is easier to give up. We all hit points when it seems like going on is next to impossible. When you’re already overwhelmed, it’s easy to talk yourself into giving up. We feel like we have nothing left to give, and no matter how hard we try, we keep hitting road blocks that seem to hold us back.
I have been through one health problem after another. Eighteen months of constant visits to the doctors, various consultants, scans, biopsy’s and three minor operations. Together with the constant tiredness, lack of energy, constant loss of concentration and pain at times it felt as though it is easier to give up than constantly struggle to get my life moving forward with purpose. But I refused to give up on my dreams.
I believe that no matter how hopeless things may seem, even when you’ve lost all hope, you have to find it within you to overcome the obstacles you face and keep trying to push through the bad times.
Everything you’ve ever wanted is on the other side of fear.” -Anais Nin.
It’s natural when everything seems to knock you down to be full of fear. Often, it’s fear that’s stopping you from bringing about improvement.
For me the threat of cancer, dealing with my loss of total vision in one eye and all the other health ailments that came my way naturally at times got the better of me, worrying that this was what I’d now have to contend with for the rest of my life, however long that would be.
Yet within me I held on to a couple of facts I’d learnt that refused to allow me to believe it was easier to give up.
1. We all have the ability to fulfil our potential and bring our dreams into reality, knowing the possibilities are huge but so are the challenges put in our way.
2. Life seems to present many of us, at one time or another with innumerable challenges and problems but it is not what happens to us that actually makes a difference, it is rather how we react to what happens to us that determines where we will end up, what we will have, and how well we live our lives.
You really are in control of your response. Will you come bouncing back or stay rooted to your knees once disaster strikes? It really is you that gets to decide. You have to respond in a way where you take action. Reading this there is no doubts you are ready to take action, and if you haven’t to this point, make this the catalyst that makes you do so, no matter how hard it is going to be particularly initially.
I could either let my health problems and their impact take control over me and see it was easier to give up or alternatively I could try and take control of myself. I’ve developed a mindset of unrelenting determination ensuring I kept moving forward no matter how bad things were. I surprised myself at times that I refused to give up. It’s simply I want to live life to the fullest.
What I know is that far too many people allow their circumstances to knock them down and keep them down. They don’t live life on their terms simply allowing their pain and misery to take centre stage. Their minds are full of negativity and pessimism.
The questions that seem to constantly bombard their minds are ones like these:
Why do things like this always happen to me?
Why do I always have problems?
Why is life always so difficult?
Why is life always against me?
What’s the point of me trying anymore?
These questions are self-sabotaging forces that will put you into a state of regret and emotional weakness forcing you to believe it was easier to give up.
They make matters worse by saying things such as ‘I can’t change this’ ‘I have no control over what happens to me’ or “there’s nothing that I can do.”
So on top of all this is the pain they face constantly, and time just evaporating away while they spend it doing little more than focusing on their problems, obstacles, and difficulties.
You can never give up and never quit because if you really think about it, there are a multitude of other people who are relying on you to excel and succeed with achieving your goals and objectives. Think about your kids, parents, siblings, family, spouse, colleagues, friends, the people you care about most, etc.
As a life skills coach, I often work with clients who are struggling to overcome personal obstacles. They don’t know what to do, where to begin or how to move forward. In such instances I get them to ask themselves one question:
‘What would I do if I wasn’t afraid?‘
Uncertain times can bring fear, worry, anxiety and overwhelm you it’s so easy to get in the rut of day to day life. Fearing things will get worse, that life will be a constant struggle, instead you have to find some positivity and cling on to it.
Think about what you could be grateful for.
Think about what makes you feel alive.
Determine one major thing you want to do with your life.
Then take a step in that direction as though you had no fear. Then take another one. Keep going, even if you’re afraid, just tell yourself you’re not. It will pay off in more joy, more energy, and more satisfaction. In fact keep going and it will end up with you achieving that one thing.
However life may be, take the chance of reclaiming your life.
“People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don’t believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and if they can’t find them, make them.” George Bernard Shaw
Don’t quit. A better life is ahead, and just know it’s never easier to give up.
I hope you enjoyed this post, and if you have any further thoughts, ideas, reflections or suggestions about this topic, than please feel free to comment below.
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Hi Larry, your ideas on how to manage emotional pain and discouragement are excellent. We must realize that life will always bring many challenges and it’s so true that how we respond to them is up to each one of us. What has helped me lately is reading inspirational books by Norman Vincent Peale and Orison Swett Marden who both encourage using our INNER STRENTH that we all have within us. We really must believe that we have what it takes to surmount our challenges – that is the key really. Thank you, as always, for a great post.
Christine a wonderful comment, thank you so much. Reading inspirational books is a powerful motivator, and without doubt taking control of our self talk and inner beliefs will give us the strength to find all our answers and get us through even the most trying of times.
Most definitely an uplifting and motivational post! Thank you for sharing it and the reminder of how we do have control over our reactions even if we don’t the circumstances.
Thank you Becky for such a lovely comment. It’s so true that the one thing we will always have control over is our reactions and responses. We are the captain of our own ship.