Our world is full of things which bring us down. It’s all too easy to get fixated on the negative things in this world such as Trump, wars, weather changes, trying to get ahead and so much more. I was just reading an article this morning, which explains our ancestors had to pay attention to the negative things in life as those things could literally kill them. Simply put it was a matter of life and death.

Thankfully in our world today, most of us never really have to experience those same life and death situations. There are lots of things we need to pay attention to, however, most things aren’t trying to eat us. In fact, many of the negative things we face today are just situations created by our own minds.

I have put a lot of energy into improving myself mentally, physically and spiritually. Once in a while I start to feel down and struggle with my will to keep going. I have been trying to create the perfect life in which the only things I would experience were love, joy, and happiness. Then something comes along which frustrates me and makes me wonder if I’m ever going to get it right.

As nice as it is to think I may ever reach a point I have it right, I now see things a little differently. I don’t think it’s possible to have a life only full of love, joy, and happiness. In fact, I now believe being with the negative things is an important part of life. It’s not that we should want them, rather, there are important lessons and messages to be taken from them. 

So for me, I accept that I will not always be feeling as if my life is full of sunshine and lollipops. I will start by loving myself and knowing I am okay. I am not broken, there is nothing to fix, it’s just a part of this journey. With this in mind, I will be present with whatever has me uncomfortable, as it’s through this discomfort I know I can learn and grow. 

Life is a journey and it’s just good to know I don’t always have to be perfect.

This week’s thought:

Where are those places in your life you don’t feel good? It might be related to a relationship, your job, money, world events, or any other thing you find weighing you down.

What are you doing with these negative feelings? Are you trying to push them away and deny they exist? The problem is when you deny these feelings exist, you are not fixing anything. In fact, you’re making yourself smaller as you restrict yourself from straying into that territory. Denial is only a coping mechanism, and until you’re ready to confront something may leave you feeling a little better. 

Instead of pushing them away, I’d encourage you to step towards what you’re feeling. It’s okay to be unhappy about something, and it’s okay to want more in your life. However, it’s often only through experiencing our discomfort does the path forward become obvious.