'It's the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting'
Paulo Coelho
Man's Search for Meaning
Sometimes in the overwhelming challenge of attempting to get back on your feet during this pandemic, or recovering from the devastating loss of a loved one, or regaining your equilibrium after an illness, you can be left feeling discouraged, hopeless and isolated. Looking through the lens of defeat, loss, and isolation, life can begin to feel flat and meaningless.
The key to pulling out of the darkness is to change the filter you look through to gain a fresh perspective. Or as Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "Don't be pushed by your problems. Be led by your dreams."
When you're dispirited and feeling low it may feel like an impossible task to change your perspective. You don't exactly feel perky and positive. Yet, changing your focus from your problems and the seemingly insurmountable obstacles you face to putting the focus back on creating a life based on your dreams and aspirations is the only way out.
I Know it Hurts--Just Push into the Pain
When I was in labor with my first child I failed to dilate fully so my doctor manually stretched me during the contractions that occurred one minute apart. This was the most painful and seemingly never ending process I've ever experienced. I could barely remain conscious the pain was so excruciating.
With contractions coming every minute, I would fall into a deep sleep for 45 seconds before the contractions would wake me and the unbearable pain would start all over. As the doctor stretched me, 60 times an hour, he kept saying 'I know it hurts, just push into the pain'. It took all my resolve not to kick him in the groin and tell him 'YOU push into the pain!'
But even in my darkest moment somewhere in the deep recesses of my mind I knew when I eventually got out of what turned out to be 24 hours of hard labor, that comment, 'I know it hurts, just push into the pain', would become a metaphor for my life.
If Pain is the Teacher, What's the Lesson?
Birthing a new life--literally or figuratively has it's painful moments--but when you push into the pain and stay focused on your dreams you move through it to gain a new life. It isn't always pleasant or easy but when you achieve a dream it's worth it in the end.
There is no way to avoid or go around the the painful part of life on our way to achieving our dreams. No one 'has it easy'. But if we keep our eyes on the goal, instead of the obstacles, we allow ourselves to be led by our dreams instead of pushed by our problems, making it easier to endure and overcome the difficulties along the way.
"We must endure what we can not escape." Mark Nepo
Are You Ready to Turn it Around?
- Where have you felt pushed by your problems?
- If you were led by your dreams what would you do differently?
- If you had all the time and money in the world, what would you do with your life?
You Got This
You're up to this challenge called life. No matter your age or where you are in your journey, always return to being led by your dreams to find your way forward.
"Happiness is something that comes into our lives through doors we don't even remember leaving open."
Robert Brault
