After the Dawn
We have all had those moments. When something feels so right, so perfect. After all the hard work, we see success. Or maybe we just were in the right place at the right time. Good things happen, and it’s wonderful… while it lasts.
But what next?
What happens after the good day? After the success?
There will be a bad day. Unfortunately, bad days happen, too.
Ever notice how when you are exhausted, things just seem to get worse? And small bad things get blown out of proportion seeming like the world is about to end? Then there are the big hits like a death in the family. There is no end to tragedy in our lives. There is still sickness. There is still death. There is still hunger, unemployment. The list goes on and on. No one is immune. We all have those times.
Life is a cycle. There will always be exciting times and rough patches.
Here’s the thing though. Those good and bad things… they tend to mix. Some days, yes, everything seems to go wrong, and it makes it hard to see the good things. But there are still good things. Some of the most amazing people I have met inspire me by seeing those, despite facing some seriously rough stuff.
I have resolved to be one of them. I want to see the good things and help others see them, too. I am very much an optimist. I also don’t think any one person’s life is better off than another. As I mentioned before, no one is immune to suffering. Everyone has different struggles, but they are all intensely difficult to that person, especially given the different character traits we have to deal with it.
At the same time, we all have the strength and ability to overcome anything life tosses our way. *
It’s like a muscle though. It’s something we have to develop and improve. Just like our bodies need to be taken care of and heal after an injury, our souls and emotions need the same.
Times of sadness and despair are just as important as times of success. Each choice we make, both physically, as well as emotionally, contribute to our well being.
Every moment is just that, a moment. And it’s gone before we know it. I’m done with letting these moments pass by. I’m done wishing they would pass by faster. I want to live my life with intent, making choices rather than letting every single thing weigh me down. I choose my happiness. Sometimes things aren’t the best… but you better believe I’m going to fight back on the things I can change. You better believe I’m going to be happy. I’m determined to be so.
Don’t get me wrong, sad things happen. It’s ok, even important, to be sad. It helps the healing process. But I refuse to hang onto that sorrow for the rest of my life like my life depends on it.
After the dawn, comes freedom to choose how our lives are (or aren’t in some cases) affected. It’s our day.
Make it a good one.
*More to come about these strengths and how to develop them
