Learn to Embrace Life’s Highs and Lows — Even Moments of Suffering
By: Christopher D. Connors
Tags: Mental Health, Inspiration, Personal Development, Personal Growth, Life Lessons

Learn to Embrace Life’s Highs and Lows — Even Moments of Suffering

Personal growth is experienced in times of hardship and grief.

Photo by Jarrod Reed on Unsplash

“Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable… Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.” — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Far too often in advance of our personal journey, we’re sold a script that if we simply take the first step, everything will fall in place, as if we’re all living out some fairy-tale version of the movie, Frozen or (fill in your favorite Disney movie here) ________. Mine happens to be, Aladdin, if you’re keeping score at home.

Taking the first step is essential.

Expecting there won’t be adversity, setbacks, and suffering along the way? Now that’s completely unrealistic.

Suffering is defined as, “the state of undergoing pain, hardship or distress.”

We’re all going to feel vulnerable, at times. I’ve come to accept this with my writing, personal relationships, and career. Navigating through our lives requires an artistic approach, as opposed to a scientifically prescribed methodology to handling life’s choppy waters. We write our own scripts, as we take the initiative and enforce greater control over our direction.

Yet life always teaches us that sometimes, we have to let go of the reins. Anyone who has ever experienced success and failure knows we cannot control every outcome or have a contingency plan for every wrinkle life throws at us.

This is not to suggest we shouldn’t be well prepared, yet, to know there will be downtimes and periods of suffering — which if we’re willing to ride out, will only make us stronger and wiser for the wear.

Finding Our Way

What’s funny about life is we should always look out for our fellow man and woman, and our actions should be altruistic and of value to the world. Yet ultimately, we’re all trying to prove something to ourselves.

The hope is that the dreams of our hearts, the purpose of our lives, and the mission for why we’re here will someday culminate in the realization and self-actualization that we completed part of our destiny. That we lived a life of great worth that benefited others. That’s what it’s all about for me.

I’ve already completed the first parts of my dream. I’ve written two books, I’m in the process of writing a third and I’m continuing to better myself each day and build new relationships. I’ve built a business I’m proud of. Yet, as I look inward, I also know I had to endure failures, mistakes and incredible moments of trial to get to this point.

So, I ask you: what about you? This is your time to think about that big dream and pause for reflection. What will that moment look like? Take a mental picture and envision the happiness, fulfillment and joy that comes from personal growth. But remember this — suffering is a part of the journey. The sooner we embrace this, the sooner we make huge strides in personal growth.

Focus on Your Path

“The best day of your life is the one on which you decide your life is your own. No apologies or excuses. No one to lean on, rely on, or blame. The gift is yours. It is an amazing journey, and you alone are responsible for the quality of it. This is the day your life really begins.” — Bob Moawad

On our journey, both before, during and once we’ve reached our destination, we want others to recognize our successes. We want respect. Respect, not always for the result, but for our grit, verve, and resolve during the process. We yearn for respect because it helps validate what we’re doing, giving us the confidence to become the best version of ourselves — in order to give that piece of ourselves back to the world.

Some of us want congratulations but there may not be adulation or celebration at what we do. That should never matter, anyway. Do it for yourself. Do what you do for those who have meant the most to you during your journey, the people giving you props along the way as you continue to ascend to the top of whatever your profession or success is.

Find Balance and You Will Persevere

Our journeys comprise feelings of inadequacy, self-doubt, and wonder of whether others care if we’re moving forward, or if we’re just stuck in neutral. Our journeys are filled with moments of weakness, pain, steps backward and hurt.

I’ve seen friends and colleagues beaten down with sickness, rejection, or lack of recognition and appreciation while they’re already down. As Chris Martin once sang, “Nobody said it was easy.”

Desire, care, faith, hope, and love power us through this negativity, anxiety, despair, and doubt. Mental and spiritual resolve are sometimes all we’ve got! We reach our destiny because we believe it, desire it, and burn for it with passion and love.

We keep going even when the odds are against us, when circumstances are not ideal and when no one seems to believe in us except ourselves. It’s by visualizing the big wins that we further ourselves toward achieving them. Think about your big dream. What does it look like? Craft a vivid image in your mind and keep working toward it.

That’s the moment you’ve been dreaming about all your life. It’s within your reach. But understand this — by embracing all of life’s ups and downs, you learn to craft a mindset that achieves balance. This will power you forward and build endurance and perseverance. This is what you need to live your best life.

Learn more about my journey and get great tips on living your best life: http://chrisdconnors.com