When things don't go our way we begin to feel vulnerable. At times, we might revert to one of our childhood tendencies to feel that the world owes us a better result. I'm often disappointed that this is not the way the world works. Many dream-chasers have demonstrated the most charming and wonderfully optimistic personalities. Over time, with unmet expectations causing so much disappointment, I've seen them (myself included) succumb to despair, negativity, and a belief that something is wrong with whom they are as a human being.
Disappointment is a common companion to the journey in search of the pot-o-gold. Getting discouraged and disappointed is normal. Feeling sad and angry is common. These unwelcome emotions are normal for anyone experiencing minor transitions in life, let alone major transitions. The emotional journey to establish a new life, a new dream, can really take its toll. If you let it control you and you begin to feel that you are the problem, you will surely undermine any chance you have for success.
So, simply put, I want you to know, don't OWN any of the negativity that will come up. It will come up. You will experience many negative emotions. It does not mean that you are the problem. It means that you are struggling with disappointment. It means that you are human. Remind yourself often of the goodness that is in you, the capabilities that you have, and that you are an intelligent, able individual. Often times, our patience wears out before the goals are achieved.
Nothing in life is easy and many people find themselves picking up the pieces of their life and starting over. Whenever you feel sorry for yourself, don't blame, just accept. It only is what it is. You are human and like others on this planet, you're feeling sad and hurt. The world isn't out to get you. It only feels that way.
As children, often times when we chased the rainbow in search of the pot-o-gold, it wasn't the pot-o-gold that we found. Some days we walked home disappointed but most of the time we had many wonderful adventures and made other discoveries, while meeting great people along the way. So keep your eyes open and your heart light; it improves your vision.
Copyright 2004 - Lee Down
2 comments:
So often, I get down on myself and my life choices I've made with the men in my life. Granted I'm only 26, but I have had more then my fair share of one night stands that i thought would have meaning and men that have taken advantage of my age and naievity. I am focused on becoming more independant and chasing my dreams at the end of my lifes rainbow.
I have been reading your writings for over an hour. You are truly a gifted man Lee. Your wife must be the luckiest woman (if you're married).
Thanks for the thought provocking words and for planting the seeds for life changes.
You are a blessing,
- Jill
Lee,
Thanks for being here for us all.
I was a precocious child and already a popular First Prize winning writer at 13 and recorded my first single 'Hardway to Broadway" at 21. But, I was very arrogant and over confident. I had professors from Johns Hopkins coming to contract me to work on major projects in Nigeria. I could be whatever I chose to be. I was a an Editor at 24 and a UNICEF consultant at 25, with a jeep and driver. Then suddenly I lost my father, and I was humbled. But, I was still doing well until my mother died and I was heart broken. I wanted to commit suicide. But for the fear of God and for the sake of my younger siblings, I changed my mind. Then the following year I lost the only one I ever loved and would have loved to marry. That was when, I began to face the harsh realities of the agonies and ironies of life. But, only God came to my rescue and led me out of the darkness into the light of a new dawn.
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