When all hell breaks loose and things go awry and you are the only one left standing holding the itty bitty pieces that might remain, it’s understandable that your immediate thought might be something along the lines of, “Why me?”
It could be anything from the loss of a job, a serious breakup or something as tragic as the loss of a loved one.
Regardless of the event, there appear to be 3 paths people can follow after the initial grieving period has expired.
Some wallow in bitterness for the remainder of their life. I’ve met people who seethe about failed relationships like they happened yesterday, when in fact the Beatles were still together when that union hit the skids.
Others inevitably get back on that horse and life eventually returns to what it once was, or something of close proximity.
And then there are a select few who can turn tragedy to triumph. They are somehow able to come to a point where they refuse to be beaten down. They have survived life’s flurry of devastating blows even as their bloodied and emotionally beaten selves lay on the canvas of what is remaining of their current life.
Even as they hear themselves being counted out…1…..2…..3….they drag their beaten ravaged psyches to the ropes and, like a scene out of Rocky, summon every ounce of strength they have to drag themselves back to their feet.
Others would have long ago thrown in the towel, but not them. Not today! Not at this moment.
No, they have decided not only to fight back, but to beat life at its own game. Life gave them it’s best shot yet they are still standing. They beckon life to take another punch, to try and knock them down again, but life knows it won’t win this battle. Not today. Not anymore.
And like a bully who panics when he sees that look in the eyes of that 98lb weakling; that look that says, “Your reign of terror ends right now buddy boy”, life hightails it outta there to pick a fight with someone else it knows will buckle and fold.
There are real life warriors out there who have taken the best life has to offer and have come out on top. You might be one of them or you know of someone who has a story worth sharing, one that might be just the anecdote that someone needs to get them off life support.
An anecdote discovered…
Last night I attended a book signing by Gretchen Rubin who writes the amazing blog, “The Happiness Project.“ She also currently has a New York Times number 1 best seller by the same name. Click here to check it out.
During her interview she revealed the story of a popular blogger whose blog I read. Every week day this person writes about one awesome thing. They are brilliant insights into the often overlooked gifts life tosses our way.
What I didn’t know however, is the story behind how the blog originated.
This person had a series of unfortunate events happen. A really close friend committed suicide. Then his wife decided to live out the rest of their relationship with another man. I can’t even imagine how difficult that must have been.
But the wonderfulness of this story is this person had his moment where he stared life in eye and said, “Not today my friend.”
I am sure he could have easily spent the remainder of his life licking his wounds and forever playing the victim. Instead he chose to start a blog that “forced” him to focus on life’s awesomeness.
And out of his personal tragedies has come a gift that has enriched the lives of millions. In fact, he has a book coming out soon. It’s sure to be a best seller and a work of art that will positively impact many.
So what is the greater lesson here? You are going to have moments where life is going to try and have its way with you; to man or woman-handle you if you let it. And in your darkest hour you are going to be tempted to give in. But don’t. Not today. Realize there are normal everyday people just like you who have battled back and have quit letting life lay the smack down on them.
Just know you can be one of those people to.
To an idea worth quitting,
Dean
ps…You might know someone today who is suffering and thinking there is no way they are going to overcome the mess life has shoved upon them. Maybe this post is exactly the inspiration they need to start clawing back today. Do me a favour and forward this too them.
