Our lives are filled with things that challenge us to triumph.
For some reason, by observation and speculation, I have noticed a pattern. One concerning emotion, one I still don't completely understand.
Why do we feel expressing anything other than happiness is taboo? Why do we strive to push down every unsettling emotion to the very depths of ourselves, for no one else to see?
For days, months, maybe even years, we can cast our emotions deep into the labyrinth, bottle it up, and assume all is well.
So many are discomforted by the unperfect sentiments of others. Why? Why do some find themselves at a loss for words? It can in no way be a lack of understanding, for all human beings are capable of all emotion.
We differintiate from animals by our ability to feel and comprehend the whole spectrum of emotion, but for some reason society as a whole shuns anything but "having it all together". So we pretend; we pretend to abide by the ludicrous standards and expectations of society.
We must render our pride and come to realize, without fail, eventually even the strongest break.
I commend those who rebound quickly from their frustrations, betrayals, misfortunes, etc. I pity those who cannot escape theirs.
Now that hopefully you realize it's perfectly normal to have a variety of emotions, how do we deal with the hard ones?
What to do when we find ourselves paralyzed, eyes penetrating for a way out.
My advice, for multiple accounts:
1. Don't set a date to be "over" something. Unnecessary pressure.
2. Have a few good friends, one or two, you can confide in; Who understand you.
3. If talking about whatever your hardship is triggers tears, let it happen. My Mom told me tears are words you can't explain.
4. Deep breaths and count to 10. Surprisingly, it actually works.
5. You will have good and bad days. Take them as they come, the good are good, and the bad will pass.
6. Helping those in need reminds you there will always be someone out there who has it worse.It doesn't make what you're going through easier, but makes you aware someone has it harder.
7. Make a list of things that are going well in your life. A reminder not all is lost.
8. When things are out of your control, stop being so hard on yourself.
9. Appreciate what you have, while you have it. Don't wait for it to be gone to realize that.
10. Consider you're well being then, and now.
11. Pray.
I intend not to insinuate hardships in one's life are not in fact, hard. Nor do I believe I understand all suffering.
My life has been indeed blessed in numerous ways, I never doubt that for a second.
Recent happenings left me questioning myself, doubting people and searching for something to make it all go away.
Wrapping up the last day of a rough week, I figured there was no way out, just through. I could stay where I was, making no progress while I waited around for the result I wanted and half the time expected, cheating myself; or I could take a deep breath and move forward.
Currently:
- I posses a few very good friends, somewhat distancing myself from the rest.
- I am expanding my food horizon, having checked off Korean and Indian.
- I am volunteering with Habitat for Humanity.
- I have a journal, and I plan to fill it full with chicken scratch scribbles, meaningful as well as meaningless words, and pictures, sketches, etc.
- I'm reading books.. for fun.
I figured I hit the expiration date regarding a particular phase in my life. So I must be greatful for the opportunities and memories I had, accept they are no more, and move forward; thus planning to lengthen my list above.
There's no "out" in life, just dealing with it, adapting to it, and going through it.
