We’re so quick to attach labels, feelings, and judgments to things, and it is detrimental to our enjoyment of life. Something difficult happens, and almost immediately we judge it as “bad.” The truth is many painful things are good for us, and we should be open and accepting to all the things coming our way.
You Don’t Even Know What You Don’t Know
When a setback or an obstacle appears in our lives, most of us are quick to be resentful and angry towards that setback, when in reality it may just be the case that months or years from now you will look back on this setback with gratitude and appreciation.
In order for us to grow and become the strongest version of ourselves, and for doorways to new opportunities to open themselves to us, almost always we have to grow through difficult and challenging experiences. Life is not going to be one easy journey and success isn’t going to happen in one fell swoop, it simply is never like that.
If you lose your job, don’t be resentful, that just may be the doorway into finding a much better job. If you get stuck in traffic, don’t get infuriated, it may have just saved you from a severe car accident. When a relationship with a significant other ends, see it as a doorway opening to an even better relationship, one that truly aligns with you. Often times painful, challenging, frustrating setbacks are good for us, we are just unable to see exactly how in the present moment. Realize that you have no idea what the future holds, how situations are going to turn out, what the meaning behind these things are, and instead look at them as opportunities to learn and grow.
Allow Life to Happen Without Judgment
Experiences are neither good nor bad, they’re simply experiences. And they’re our experiences, within a life that is very short, so cherish them and submerse yourself fully in them, try to learn as much as you can from them, and appreciate them for the simple fact that you have a life and that you get the opportunity to experience.
Life is far more fun, enjoyable, and energizing when we let go of constantly judging things and emotionally reacting to things. It is very draining to constantly be negative, judging, upset, and fretting. When we can let go of worry, stop viewing things as personal attacks, and understand that we simply have no idea how things are going to turn out, we can focus our attention on spreading love, gratitude, and positivity to those around us. Remember that you are responsible for your emotions and that you can take control of your attitude in each moment.
“The last of human freedoms – the ability to choose one’s attitude in a given set of circumstances.” – Viktor Frankl