Coming off a “down” last week, I was struck by the beauty of life.
Faced with a difficult family situation I was overcome with sadness, frustration, and anger. I struggled with the situation for several days, on the edge of tears much of the time. After several difficult days I found a renewed sense of purpose and motivation in my pursuit of living my best life- the purpose of being on this journey and writing this blog.
Before this recent challenge, I had been feeling just a little complacent, as sometimes happens when things are going smoothly. I was doing a lot of the right things without thinking much about it. What I was doing was fine, but I wasn’t truly engaged in my life. This “down” gave me the kick in the butt I needed to embrace my life and reminded me why it’s important to me.
Without sadness I couldn’t feel joy. Without pain I wouldn’t feel pleasure. It is the shifting notes that create music out of sound, and the ups and downs we experience create the beauty in life.
There is no permanence in life and it is the varied experiences, emotions, and perceptions that create life’s music. If I feel happy I will enjoy it for as long as it lasts. If I feel sad I will honor my sadness but not despair because I know I will be happy again, and I know some moments of sadness are necessary to fully appreciate happiness whenever I create it.
“Life is full of ups and downs, so put your hands in the air and enjoy the ride.” ~Anonymous
Source: davinie.blogspot.com via Chrysta on Pinterest
How to Find Beauty in Life’s Ups and Downs
Enjoy the good times
Do you really enjoy the good times as they happen and not just when you look back on them? Be present and truly enjoy all the wonders of this life and the good times will help carry you through the bad.
Seek comfort in difficult times
You don’t have to go through it alone, so don’t.
Take care of yourself
In good times and bad, take good care of yourself. Becoming mentally, emotionally, and physically healthy makes the best of good days and gives you strength on bad days.
Be as happy as possible
Stop waiting for life to get good to be happy, be happy and life will be good.
Always be kind- always
Be kind to yourself and others. Kindness has magical powers that ease discomfort and pain.
Don’t believe everything you feel
Haven’t you ever felt fear watching a scary movie even though you’re not in danger? Your feelings alone do not make life good or bad, they’re just a small part of the experience.
Don’t believe everything you think
Observe your thoughts without attaching yourself to every thought. Adjust your thinking when necessary.
Be open to the opportunities presented to you
Life is full of wonderful opportunities and all too often these opportunities are missed because you’re looking too hard at just one possible outcome- be open to all the possible outcomes.
Be grateful
It’s nearly impossible to be grateful and sad at the same time, and gratitude is a key ingredient in happiness. Remember, there’s always something to be grateful for.
Live life on life’s terms
Stop basing your well-being on how things work out. Do your best with what you have and life will work out a whole lot better (and you’ll feel less disappointment, too.)
Let go
Sometimes you just have to let go or be dragged. Which do you prefer?
