“It is easy enough to be pleasant when life flows by like a song, but the man worthwhile is the one who will smile when everything goes dead wrong.”
My grandmother wrote this to me I was twelve (she’s not the author, but she put this in a card when I had to spend three weeks in a hospital). And when things get tough, I am always reminded of those words.
But how do you smile when things go wrong?
Right now, the world feels as if it is upside down for everyone. Every day seems to bring another dose of bad news, and we are having to dig deeper into our resolve, more than ever before.
I haven’t been posting on this blog for many reasons. One reason for this—I’ve mentioned this previously—is my superstition. I think I was subconsciously waiting for things to get better before posting as if posting would jinx things and bring about an even worse outcome.
Yah, I know. I can be a bit neurotic.
BUT the outcome is the outcome. The important thing is to have the ability to HANDLE them. To FUEL ourselves during these times. To not lose hope. To keep our FOCUS on the good.
I realized that NOW MORE THAN EVER positivity is NEEDED. Posting about being hopeful and seeing the good in things does not mean that I am tone deaf to what is going on around me. Instead, it is BECAUSE of what is going around me – with my friends, family, you, everyone – that I will post.
There’s enough bad news. People are suffering. And as an empath, I am feeling it.
But, right now, it is important that we arm ourselves and BE LIGHT in all this darkness.
So, how do we?
One crucial way is by finding your FUEL. What energizes you to stay hopeful?
Your fuel can be your friends, listening to positive music, meditating, or working out. Find that thing that will help you to keep moving forward, and cling tightly to it. FOCUS ON THAT.
My fuel is my family (thank you for putting up with me) and God.
Driving home two days ago, U2’s song, 40, came on and I almost cried. “40” is based on Psalms 40 and the words were just what I needed to hear. It reminded me that I needed to fuel up with some Psalms. I admit: it’s been years since I’ve read the Bible, but when I do, Psalms is my go-to. Even if you are not religious or spiritual, it’s the one book that is filled with words of hope, love, and peace. I mean, everyone can relate to that, right?
And so, this morning, I opened up to Psalms 23.
It’s well known and for good reason. . .
I will leave this post with its words:
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside quiet waters,
He refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for His name’s sake.
Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
He’s got this.
YOU’VE GOT THIS!