There will be many disappointments and losses in life. There is no way around it. Difficult days come unexpectedly, like an illness, death, tornado, or fire. The big moments are easy; they take care of themselves, but not so with disappointment. The question is how will you handle disappointment and loss? You will have experiences that outwardly distance you from your dreams. What do you do when something you never would have chosen happens to you?
The real question is will you get it back together? Those who have prepared, are consistent, passionate, driven, resilient, and un-relenting, are the one who gather up the pieces and put themselves back together again. This speaks volumes about the human who suffers disappointment or loss, and yet is able to rally the mental troops back to life. You may have to get it back together while still hindered from grief. The gravity of feeling sorry for yourself wants to pull your head down; you’re better to keep it up. Maybe you’re devastated. Get back on your feet. You need this and others need you. It will be a choice, so make the right one. A habit is on the line; what will it be, refuse or persevere?
Falling short does not mean you will never make it; it just may take a little longer. I been told “If you’re in hell, keep walking.” So keep walking!
You can still prosper after disappointment. You have it in you; maybe it’s undeveloped, but it’s in you. Being able to reassemble your mindset is more about focus than anything else. The good news is focus is something you can get in touch with at once.
We all have pages and episodes of despair in our lives. I often use extremes because we can all relate. The un-pleasantries of life that cause ill health, take loved ones, tragic situations that will require us to use our hidden reservoir or we just wouldn’t make it. How do we expect to handle tough situations that are guaranteed to make their appearance, if we don’t handle the inevitable “training sessions?” Your entire life is preparation for these types of examinations. You can come back under less than ideal conditions. In fact, you can come back when every light is out except your resolve. There is example after example of the defeated coming back for top honors in every life arena.
It’s like a tornado drill, the sirens go off. We criticize “it’s stupid!” and “waste of time!” Then the day comes that we never expected, a tornado! It’s at that moment we’re either glad we paid attention or we’re scrambling and regretting our poor attitude on drill day. All it required was a few minutes of our time, which was for our benefit in the first place. Listen, if you’re going to be there anyway, why not get the message; it takes no more time to get the meaning then to reject the meaning.
Be aware that humans are made to come from beginning to end; you’re made to flourish. It’s a risk if you walk away from this challenge. Your esteem can forever be scarred. Sometimes, you have to pass through misfortune before you reach your destination. A crisis can be a turning point; it depends on how you frame it. Do you have what it takes to come back after disappointment? I say you do. Will you draw from your well of courage, intelligence and others experience? I think you will.
One of Michelangelo’s master pieces is a mammoth size statue of David. When he was asked how he could create such a masterpiece, he responded that “David is already in the marble. All I had to do was chip away the excess.” This is true for you as well. We all have tremendous potential. We just have to chip away the excess.
