Life is tough. There is no getting around that fact. And you have two choices: you can either run from the hardship, or you can embrace it. At Open Eye Wellness, we have realized that only when you face up to life’s difficulties do you really truly live. We understand that you may be feeling down. And believe us, you are not the only one. Everyone has their days – or weeks, months, or years – when they feel lost and weak. Everyone knows what it is like to lose sight of their goals. But a few people know what it is like to push through the gloom and come out on the other side. It is going to take some grit. But we know you can do it! Whatever you are going through, here are six things to remember that will help you regain your lost determination.
1. I will not be satisfied with average. Anyone can be average. And sometimes we try to get away with just doing what is expected of us and no more. But it is the people who are willing to work harder, stand taller, and fight longer that get the gold. It is the people who are willing to go above and beyond that reap the rewards.
2. The pain I feel today is the strength I will feel tomorrow. Sure, we may be going through some painful experiences. And it is not easy to keep on our feet. But remember the old saying, “What doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger”? There is actually truth in that, even if it is overused. If you can make it through the pain today, you will find yourself stronger and more beautiful when the sun rises tomorrow.
3. I have come too far to quit. Do you even realize how much you have accomplished already? Whether you have taken one step or one hundred, you have done too much to quit on yourself now. Don’t leave your work unfinished. Don’t come close to your goal, but never actually reach it. You are better than that! You have survived so far, so face life with a smile and keep pushing.
4. Improvement is defined by what I used to be, not by what other people are. We are tempted to compare ourselves to others on a daily basis. The people around us are the ones who define our successes or defeats in our mind. This gives us and unreal and unhealthy view of who we are! We need to remember where we are and where we came from. If we are a better person in some small way than we were before, that is a victory! It doesn’t matter how other people look at you. Just keep climbing.
5. I will win or I will learn. Too often, we view ourselves as either winning or losing. But the truth is that what we may consider a loss is actually an opportunity to learn and grow. Sure, things may not turn out like we expected them to. But if we learn something in the process, the effort was not wasted.
6. My future begins today. Today is the first day of the rest of your life, after all. You may not get to decide the circumstances of your future, but you can decide what to do about them. Do you want to reach a specific goal? Do you want to become a better person? Remember that today is what shapes your future. The decisions you make will be massively important years down the road. So choose to be strong!
Being strong doesn’t mean you never feel weak. It means you hold your head high, even when you don’t feel your best. So, chin up, champion! Look tomorrow in the eye with a smile on your face.