We have all had HUGE setbacks in life. It is a given if you live and breath.
Marriages that didn't work
Excess silly spending and major debt
Unexpected disasters and major debt
Loss of jobs
Health issues
Not being prepared
So many bad decisions and habits
Over extending our time and self
Not accomplishing goals in YOUR timeframe
Death
There are soooooo many reason for things going south and that huge feeling of defeat.
I do believe WE are our own worst enemies. WE get in our way of having the best life possible. WE expect more of ourselves than anyone else could possibly expect. WE create the chaos in our lives.
We all need learn to realize that s**t happens and it always will. We need to learn to relinquish a bit of control and just LIVE. It is funny how we think we have this total control of our lives. Yes, we do have some (in our decisions) - but for the most part God has this. You may not call it God - you may have another name - but we all seem to believe that there is something much greater than ourselves that is in control - and that is true! HAVE NO DOUBT!!!
So ease up on yourself a little and understand you can't FIX everything and especially in a short period of time. You only have so much control - the rest is out of your hands. GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK! (I truly need to work on this point).
Setbacks happen. Make your plans and try to go forward as best you can, but know there will be stumbling blocks along the way. There will be setbacks. It is a natural part of life. It happens to everyone.
NOTICE I did not say failures.
I don't like that word at all.
I think there are NO failures as long as you DON'T give up and as long as you AT LEAST try.
If you never try - then you have failed yourself and maybe others.
If you totally give up - then you have failed in that situation - never quit trying.
I was convinced this was my post today when I read the morning paper and saw the daily prayer.
"O God, bless all who are trying to improve their lives. As they work to transcend past mistakes and present habits, grant them success. Amen"
IF YOU ARE TRYING AND DO NOT STOP - YOU ARE BEING SUCCESSFUL
Blessings my friends.
Boy did I need this. I think (I know) I blame myself for our debt and our years of financial struggle. I know that I am trying to work as hard as I can to get us out so I can make up for bad decisions and behaviors from the past. It is like my penance, flogging myself mentally and physically. But I am successful every day.
ReplyDeleteWell dear, you were one of the ones that I thought of when writing this! You are just way too hard on yourself. You do a tremendous amount of work - more than I ever would think of doing. You should be proud of all you have accomplished.
DeleteI too fell into bad spending patterns, and have been using paying off those debts as a discipline to learn new habits, healthy ones that will keep me financially stable. That is my penance, the two years of paying off debts and learning to be better. It is worth the time and effort it takes. Keep at it Out My Window, don't flog, just move forward, replacing healthy mechanisms where we used to use unhealthy ones.
DeleteEllen thank you for giving her great advice. It always helps hearing someone who has been in the same situation.
DeleteIn good time, in the right time is something I have to remind myself of as well. With the house not selling, the plans I'd made have not come close to fruition. But life is still good, very good in fact!
ReplyDeleteIt isn't time or it would! I don't mean to sound glib, but it just isn't the right time.
DeleteSo happy to hear you say life is still VERY good!
What a great post! It's kind of like when you are a kid all those embarrassing moments won't stop coming into your dreams. Finally you realize everyone has them and it's ok that you made a mistake. We learn from our mistakes big and small!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely - each setback is a learning adventure. It seems we work hard at screwing up over the years - so we should work harder at learning!!!!!!
DeleteI really needed to read this today. It has been a long hard summer.
ReplyDeleteYou have had a heck of one for sure. Kiddo, you got this. You are doing so good with everything and you too should be proud!
DeleteSo, so very true. And each setback is a lesson and an opportunity for growth. Hard to remember sometimes when you're in the middle of it... But none the less true.
ReplyDeleteYes - on both items. Hopefully we acquire growth and knowledge from each set back and learn something. It is very hard to remember while you are in the midst of a difficult time.
DeleteThat is when I turn it over to a higher power to help me.
Cheryl, I was just thinking that we all needed a pep talk, and thank you for doing it for us!
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome. I needed it too!
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