I have been going through ups and downs lately. Sometimes I feel so depressed and all I want to do is sleep. My life isn’t exactly what I want it to be at the moment…I am in “limbo” with my career, living situation and personal life in general. I am single again and starting over. I get scared. I feel alone. I feel hopeless. There are days when I do not talk to a single person. But then there are days when I talk to several friends and get out and about. Staying positive is a day to day effort for me.
I think we all struggle with staying positive. We get stuck dwelling on negative things from our past or things in our present that we cannot change and have no control over. During those times I TRY to keep a smile on my face and keep moving even if on the inside I feel like falling apart. It is hard to get out of bed and go to work some mornings. It is hard to focus on daily tasks. My mind gets consumed with worry about what is going to happen next or bitterness toward someone who has hurt me.
Why does life have to be so difficult? Why does it seem like everyone is else is happy and I can never catch a break? Why me? I am guilty of asking myself those questions sometimes…aren’t we all? I do not know the answers. I do know this…if you wake up each morning and thank God for another day and begin each day with gratitude instead of defeat you will notice a difference. Cliche or not, happiness truly does come from within yourself. It does not come from your significant other. It does not come from your job. It does not come from having a million dollars. You can have everything in the world and still be miserable. It is a CHOICE. It takes work. It takes prayer. And I find that it takes a lot of laughter. When you are able to laugh…everything feels better. Laugh at yourself or make someone else laugh.
So instead of sulking on the couch get outside and go for a walk. Instead of avoiding people…pick up the phone and call a friend. Instead of keeping things bottled up inside, talk to someone and express your feelings. Support each other. Instead of asking “why me???”, appreciate what you do have. Things could always be worse. And remember, you’re not alone. God wants us to thrive…not just survive.
Keep smiling and be BRAVE…
Hello Stacey! Just a note of encouragement to you. So many appreciate your memes on Twitter. I wonder how many times these give someone just what they need for that moment in their life. Sharing your discouragements makes you real, your encouragements a leader. Thank you!
Thank YOU so much for your kind words!!! I truly appreciate the feedback 🙂 As for my Twitter posts…I post quotes or pictures that actually mean something to me or possibly did at some point in my life. Hopefully they help others as they have helped me at some time or another. My blog is very honest and open and I also hope by through sharing my heart, struggles and victories that others can somehow relate and apply it to their life in a positive way. Again, thank YOU! Stacey