Things Aren't the Same // These Will Make You Stronger // The Most Important Choice We Have to Make
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Things Aren’t the Same
One of my favorite song lyrics goes like:
“Nowadays, shit’s not the same.”
Simple yet straight to the point. It echoes a sentiment found in Eastern spiritualities, that one being impermanence. Maybe things aren’t the same in that we’ve accomplished something significant in our lives and circumstance are for the better. Or maybe we’re facing difficulties and we miss the old ways. No matter what it is, today is a new day, a departure from the times of past.
We’re reminded that settings, situations, people, and actions all change. Hoping for the same things from any one of these will inevitably lead to unsatisfactoriness. Consider this whenever you find yourself in trying situations or you have a hard time coming to terms with somebody else’s choices. The best we can hope for is to recognize that shifts will occur and to be prepared. Better yet, work with and accept them when they arrive, for the longer you grapple with something from the past, the longer you stay there and miss out on the now.
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These Will Make You Stronger
What’s the secret to “leveling up” in life? Just like in a video game, the answer is challenges. As the protagonist of our own stories, we must face trials and tribulations to grow our character and get closer to the end goal. Challenges are the hammer and we are sword on the anvil. They’ll beat us up, break up, push us to our limit- but all this is to create the strongest and most durable sword possible. Another favorite of mine is, “strong seas never made a skilled sailor.”
My advice is to take any adversity (no matter how small really) and take that to challenge yourself. Driver cut you off on the road? Challenge yourself to not be so reactionary and give in to road rage. Did someone not follow through on a promise they made? Take that as something to work with and learn that expectations are not to always be trusted. Do you look around and find yourself dissatisfied with some aspect of your life? See that as a trial that you alone must endure and work to find a way out of that. This simple shift in perspective can actually empower you and legitimately make you feel like your troubles can serve for something instead of existing as annoying obstacles.
So don’t fear the hard things. Seek them out and use them to your advantage.
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The Most Importance Choice We Have to Make
Every second of our lives, we’re faced with a choice- to do one thing or another. “Duh”, you may be thinking. But this is important. The path that we opt for dictates how our future unfolds. Are we making the choice that benefits us, others, or preferably both? Or are we choosing the path that keeps us stagnant, or downright destructive? Will you commit actions that pay your future self dividends or ones that will impede growth?
99% of things are outside our control. But the 1% that is is our actions. Make the choices that promote progress, peace, and prosperity. Everything else is noise. One of the worst feelings is acting despite well knowing that your efforts are better off directed at another endeavor.
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