There is much to be said about being able to know how things will turn out. For me, there's a sort of thrill I secretly get in knowing what to anticipate. This is probably why I love watching my favorite movies over and over again until I can practically recite every single line, or why I choose the same Italian restaurant to dine at after hours of contemplating which popular new place to check out. I even try to organize my daily agenda for my students at the beginning of class, fully knowing there might be some hiccup or last minute change that forces me to be flexible. But being flexible in the midst of wanting things to go your way goes beyond the workplace.
Having everything I want when I want it wouldn't exactly be conducive to growth. Although there are wretched days that make me wish for life to just go my way, I've also learned that things will never, ever remain the same. Feelings, after all, are always changing; one minute you can be madly pining over someone, and the next minute you want to strangle that same person for buying the wrong milk. Feelings are not to be depended on, because emotions change every day depending on your mood and physical or mental state of mind.
For many of us, it's difficult sometimes to be open to unforeseen changes when we feel like we're finally in a flow of things. I'll admit that I still get scared every once in a while if I let my anxiety get the best of me. But from the daily, little things that I know I shouldn't sweat, to the major life changes, I usually need something creative or calming to ignore any shaky feeling. Sometimes I need to binge-watch a favorite show or hear an album that settles my mind; other times, I might need to disconnect for a while and exercise, write, or just be in nature to feel the day's breeze. Keep in mind that whatever helps you in the moment to process what you face will always be different, because no two days are ever the same. Even if it feels like your life is so miserable and nothing will get better, you still have the power to change your perspective on a situation and improve your energy. But this can only happen if you truly commit to yourself and your happiness.
This is still very much a challenge for me to successfully do every day, because sometimes it feels better to feed your fear the anger or emotional obscurity it craves. I only call this post a "guide" in order to reach anyone out there who's been a victim to their own fears, and to let them know that they are not alone. Life will never be perfectly written out for you like a tour guide's itinerary, but you do have the option to say yes or no to every opportunity given to you. The hardest part (for me, at least), is realizing that even the toughest moments are still opportunities for growth in self-love and acceptance--two vital parts to achieving happiness.
What makes those tough moments worth living through is showing yourself all the grace and kindness you need to get through each moment until one day, you are wise and powerful enough to recognize that every waking second is truly a gift. If it sounds impossible right now to do this, know that your time will come as long as you set mindful goals for yourself each day. They can start out small (like practicing gratitude for the shelter and food you have, or taking care of your body), but eventually those small acts of kindness towards yourself build up your courage to see the beauty in everything and to truly fear nothing.
xo
This is still very much a challenge for me to successfully do every day, because sometimes it feels better to feed your fear the anger or emotional obscurity it craves. I only call this post a "guide" in order to reach anyone out there who's been a victim to their own fears, and to let them know that they are not alone. Life will never be perfectly written out for you like a tour guide's itinerary, but you do have the option to say yes or no to every opportunity given to you. The hardest part (for me, at least), is realizing that even the toughest moments are still opportunities for growth in self-love and acceptance--two vital parts to achieving happiness.
What makes those tough moments worth living through is showing yourself all the grace and kindness you need to get through each moment until one day, you are wise and powerful enough to recognize that every waking second is truly a gift. If it sounds impossible right now to do this, know that your time will come as long as you set mindful goals for yourself each day. They can start out small (like practicing gratitude for the shelter and food you have, or taking care of your body), but eventually those small acts of kindness towards yourself build up your courage to see the beauty in everything and to truly fear nothing.
xo