How many times have you had that pep talk with someone who seemingly has it all, and has no problem telling you that you can have it, too? They might also say that, with just a little hard work, dedication, sweat, blood and tears, you, too, can have your happily ever after.
Why is it I really don't buy into that?
One of the hardest things about living life in this world is that the only thing we can know for sure is that there is an unknown. At the end of the day, those things we strive most for are sometimes the things that matter least. When we accomplish something, what's left isn't all the work and focus you put into it, but rather a legacy you left with it. Our greatest achievements are the result of the determination we have to get them done and the way we made our dreams a reality.
Of course, not everything we set out to do can be accomplished, or can be the way we imagined them. Sometimes things don't work out the way we so wanted, and even more rarely, we fail completely. Those feelings of loss, exhaustion, helplessness -- that rock bottom we reach is one of the worst phases of life we have to face.
The thing is that I don't believe we actually reach a perfect point in life where we truly have it all. On the contrary, I think life is about those highs and lows that ultimately force us to grow. There are times where we are too content, so when something devastating happens, we skip the happy medium and plunge into despair. And other times, we've been low for so long that we can't seem to appreciate when things work in our favor.
You might just be at rock bottom at this moment. Maybe you've lost a loved one, a relationship, or even a job. Maybe you're feeling that it's not worth trying to make things better anymore so you're reading this article hoping I can provide some insight. And I'd love to, but you've got to meet me halfway.
But how?
It's time to embrace rock bottom. It's time to face the negativity that's keeping you from reaching your full potential. It's time to fight the feelings of helplessness, loneliness, or sadness. It's time to let yourself feel the pain, so you can get past it. It's time to take charge of what meaning your life holds.
You really only do live once. We only get one chance to reach success and to make mistakes. There's no use dwelling on the past because it isn't coming back. Although you can't change the past, you can certainly influence the future. The past is gone the second it was here, but the future never stops coming.
Changing the attitude you have about your life means changing your actions. Take responsibility for what you say, think, and do. Take into consideration the thoughts and feelings of others in order to build stronger and more meaningful relationships. Consider the pros and cons of every decision you have to make so that you proceed into new waters without doubts. Convince yourself you are a better person today than you were yesterday. Teach yourself something new every chance you get, mature your mind by exploring other perspectives, and make yourself a stronger person by choosing the battles that will most influence your story.
Being at rock bottom only means you've already been at your highest. It means you've had it all and you've lost it all, but it still means you have the potential to have more, to have better.
You are the only you that exists in this world. There is no one with the ability to influence others like yours. The thoughts and dreams and gifts you hold are yours because only you know what to do with them.
If you've hit rock bottom, know that it's temporary and a sign of strength. It means you care enough about what has you down that you'll eventually climb your way back to the top. It means that even if it takes a while, deep down inside you know you're better than the things that have happened to you.
Rock bottom does not signify an end to your legacy. It's simply a contributing detail that makes the story more interesting.
