I do not wish for no hard times in my life.
Don’t get me wrong, I do not wish for heartache and pain and suffering, but I do not waste time praying that I don’t experience any of these things because for everyone, they are inevitable.
When I was a child, I lost my favourite elephant rubber, and at that time I thought it was the worst thing ever. I loved that rubber, and I sulked about it for ages and was annoyed with the world. But that was because at that time, and at that age, it was the worst thing that had happened to me.
And really that is how the entirety of your life goes. You go through something and you think it is awful and that your world is ending because it is the worst thing that you have experienced, and you don’t see how things will get better.
But it is so true, that whatever doesn’t kill you honestly does make you stronger.
It makes you stronger because you learn how to cope with this situation that was previously alien to you.
And, you’ll also be more equipped and knowledgable to advise others who will experience the same situations.
When I was studying in South Africa back in February I really wasn’t sure about it at first. I remember texting my family looking for flights home…I was very homesick, and the place and the people were nothing like I thought they would be.
But my Mama told me to stick with it, she reminded me that what I had the opportunity to do was what I had been working hard towards for a long time, and she reminded me how strong I am!
After just a few hours I began to look at the situation differently and focused on the positives, I came to immerse myself in the wonderful opportunity that I was experiencing.
And actually, that course is one of the best foundations of my future I have ever invested in, and the people that I met there are some of the most wonderful people I have ever encountered, and are still amongst my good friends now!
So look for the positive in every negative thing that happens to you, whether big or small, because it is always teaching you how to deal with the situation, and it forces you to come up with alternatives…whether that be 5 minutes later or a year later.
You can only learn how strong you are when being strong is the only choice you have.
I read an article recently that stated that “expecting life to be wonderful all the time is wanting to swim in an ocean in which waves only rise up and never come crashing down.”
It’s so true, and in fact we would be bored if everything always went how we expected it to.
See every hard time as an opportunity to gain the upper hand in your unique life. Don’t let it defeat you.
So don’t wish for hard times, but welcome them, knowing that they are a great opportunity for you to grow into an even greater person than you are right now.
Stay happy!
According to Jess 