
Many of us, in our lives, see some things going wrong, and we assume that everything is wrong. Not only that, but also that everything is going to stay wrong. Listen, I know it's hard to hear this when you are in the middle of the storm and struggle fills your life, but because of this struggle, you will find greatness. Sometimes when I go for hikes, I'll fall away from the trail, and eventually I have trouble finding my way back. I'll get frustrated or even scared because I'm in the wilderness, and I have no idea where I am. Here's the thing, though, whenever that happens, nine times out of ten I end up finding some beautiful place in the woods that I'd never seen before. I would have never known about this beautiful spot had I not struggled in my path, literally. Now, I'm not telling you to go get lost on purpose. I don't think that's a very good strategy. It's certainly not helpful in the long run, but what I am telling you is to not be discouraged by struggle. I'm telling you that it's not only necessary, but it's one of the most important and final steps on your way to greatness and beauty. It's like how the shadow proves the sunshine.
You have to stop telling yourself that things are over. Maybe you got broken up with so you think your love life is over. Maybe you made a mistake so now you think you are a mistake. Maybe you failed so you have decided that you are a failure. Absolutely not! Stop turning one mistake or problem into some kind of summary of who you are. You are greater than your mistakes. Not only that, but you become greater because of your mistakes.
Many of us go through something bad or we are given a bad hand in life, and our answer is to fold. We decide that there is no hope for us so we give up and we stay in this storm the rest of our lives. If life gives you a bad hand, you need to make the most of it. Let me be clear here. I'm not saying that it won't be hard. I'm not saying that I can't feel for you if you have gotten a bad hand in life. I'm not a positive person twenty four hours a day three hundred and sixty-five days a year. I go through absolute heartbreak and I certainly experience grief and sadness, but I also try to always find the positive in the situation. I am always trying to find the growth in the struggle. I do feel for you when you go through pain, but I also know that the only way out of it is to keep moving forward. Don't give up no matter what. There will always be days that you slip or backslide, but turn back around and try again.
It all starts with you.