Finding Beauty - Even When Things Get Ugly by Samara Leigh
“Life is hard. Then you die.” You’ve seen it on t-shirts and bumper stickers. Maybe you’ve even felt that way yourself. For many people lately, it seems a lot more like a truism than cynicism. In the face of the recent economic downturn, it is becoming increasingly hard to argue the point.
There is a pervasive feeling of gloom in the air. It is in the eyes of women struggling to stretch their grocery budget to cover the rising cost of milk, bread, and produce.
It rests in the furrows around the eyes of people at the gas pump, as they wonder if the price of gasoline will ever stabilize.
It hangs on the voice of baby boomers who find themselves unable to retire as their 401k and the value of their home dwindles.
It is visible through the picture window of foreclosed properties once bustling with young families in tree-lined communities.
“But, in the face of even the ugliest situation, it is worthwhile to take inventory of things for which we are grateful. To find even small glimpses of joy despite the hardships we face.”
Let’s face it; it is hard not to worry about one’s future in the light of financial uncertainties, global crises and personal health issues. After all, we’re only human. But, in the face of even the ugliest situation, it is worthwhile to take inventory of things for which we are grateful. To find even small glimpses of joy despite the hardships we face. Our happiness, our sanity, our futures hinge upon it.
I remind myself of this when my life seems out of control. I cannot control the economy, the job market, or a number of other things, but I can control my view of the world and of myself. It is the first step in moving forward to regain power over my situation.
Even the most devastating situation can present opportunities. The loss of a job and the dissolution of a marriage are two of the most stressful situations that we can face. Yet, even in these situations we can often find the “beauty.” Freedom from a situation that drained our essence and caused us misery. An opportunity to grow as individuals and learn something new about ourselves and about the world.
Our propensity to learn from past experiences and turn them into opportunities for growth directly correlates to our ability to bounce back from pain and loss. So, here are a few suggestions for ways to find beauty, even when things get ugly:
- Choose to live with hope.
- Learn the lessons behind your fear and pain.
- Accept responsibility for your role in adversity rather than being quick to lay blame.
- Be open to new possibilities.
- Create reasonable goals and a definite plan of action. Then stick to it.
- Be committed to continuous improvement of self – mind, body, and soul.
- Don’t isolate yourself. Draw strength from others.
- Be positive in your conversation with others. There is nothing wrong with venting to a friend occasionally. But don’t become Ms. Gloom and Doom.
- Seize any advantage offered by adversity. Go back to school. Go for a job you actually like. Get to know yourself again. Take up a new hobby. Reconnect with friends and family. Travel. Relocate somewhere that you’ve always wanted to live.
Life is full of pain and adversity. In fact, it is often the adversity we’ve faced that shapes us the most. We do not have control of every single thing that happens in our lives. However, only we can decide how we will cope with the blows that life deals us
Worry, pessimism, and negativity equate to defeat and further loss of control. The gift of turning a negative into a positive - finding the beauty even when things get ugly - puts us on the road to victory despite the obstacles that we face.
Samara Leigh is a 30-Something Rebel and a Northeast Ohio-based freelance writer, entrepreneur and E-consultant. Her non-fiction and fiction work celebrates the triumphant spirit of women on a journey of self-discovery..
