I spoke in the last section about how we perceive our problems. We all have them. Life is hard at times. This is a part of being alive. Problems have always been around and everyone has them.
When I think of my struggles versus the rest of the world, it becomes comical. My issues do not even measure up to what is going on in the world.
You have this book in your hands or the audiobook. This means, you most likely have it better than some. Our problems are minor in comparison to our ancestors. Think about a life without smartphones, working water, or electricity. Hell, imagine a world without all the safety and laws that society has put in place.
Look around you and you will see the problems others have. You can travel to a rough part of town or listen to people in your workspace. Everyone around you has problems and a lot are worse than your own. Social Media is a highlight reel for people to post their best moments. Do not get sucked into this thinking that people do not struggle like you or me.
You are probably wondering why I am telling you this. Maybe you are asking, “How is any of what I just read helping me solve my OWN problems?” The truth is comparison will not solve anything. People are not going to get you out of financial debt nor will they do the work to get you in good shape.
What helped me was taking a moment to look around. To become present with the moment I was in. I wanted to see the world for what it was instead of the story my brain told me.
The result was seeing my life for what it really was. It made me see all my problems, but it also leads me towards their solutions. By being present, it took me out of the grasp of negativity. I noticed the people around me and all the problems they had. What I realized is that we are all going through something. But, you know what else? We are all surviving.
I understand that words on a page may not get you out of your funk. Some people are dealing with issues on a much harder level. To them, it may be hard to keep their head up all the time. But no matter what type or severity, problems still exist. They can still take a massive toll on how we live. Problems can decimate every goal we want to achieve.
As I said before, what I do is step back and feel the present moment. I take an inventory of my surroundings, thoughts, and feelings. Then, I imagine how I would feel by letting go of these issues.
I imagine the past, present, and future. First, I look at how far I have come in my life. The highs and the lows, the happiness and the sadness. When I come to a moment in my life that I love such as the birth of my son, I go deeper and remember those feelings. Once I am in that headspace, I ask myself if I would change a thing. The answer is always No.
Other past experiences I bring up are when I have been on vacation with my wife and family. We have been to a few amazing spots that were breathtaking. I go there in my mind and relive the best moments. I bask in my own past paradise. The experiences come back to me and allow me to feel the way I did in those moments. My stress in the current situation melts away.
There are many moments in life to think back on. Weddings, graduations, landing a great career or finding success in an endeavor. You can even go back to times as a kid like the first time you went to an amusement park or an exciting trip. Do not hinder yourself to visual memories. You can use smell or taste as a way to bring you out of your funk. One of the best times for me every year is Christmas. Our families get together and enjoy the company of each other. The smell of home cooking fills the air as our favorite Christmas tunes get us dancing and upbeat. Be open to any and every moment that you hold dear to your heart.
On the flip side, to gain more perspective, think of times that weren’t so great.
Think about the times when life wasn’t going so well. Bills needed to get paid or your career was dragging you down. The times when relationships and business ventures failed.
I remember a time in college when our roommate forgot to pay our electric bill. We sat in a house for 5 days in darkness. I would leave my classes for the day and rush to the apartment before sunset. This was so I could gather what I needed for the next day. My cousin allowed me to stay with him and it sucked for the days we went without power. You never realize how much you take electricity for granted until you are without it.
I can remember my high school and how much I was an outsider. Girls were not interested in me and I never went to a prom in my life.
Another tough experience was when work got the better of me. I had to work a double and was so riddled with anxiety in the morning that I went to the hospital. At that moment, I thought I was having a heart attack. My anxiety was through the roof over having to work this double shift. When I had all the tests done, my heart was in tip-top shape. Nothing was wrong with me except for high levels of stress from my job.
I always reminisce over the Ying and yang of life. The emotions that come from all the highs and lows in this journey. Times that were tragic and times that, on the surface, seemed difficult but were minor issues.
What I have come to realize are how many problems I have overcome and how many are similar today.
I can’t tell you how many times I swore that the problems I was facing were bigger than they were. Would I ever find a wife or start a family? Am I destined to always have a career that was not fulfilling? Did I disrespect someone to the point of losing them?
I am here to tell you that I overcame every single issue that was thrown my way. My life has been a bumpy road but I have survived. To be honest, a majority of things that I thought were forever have come and gone. The nonsense of today will not dictate your tomorrow.
Every single problem I have discussed I overcame or am continuing to overcome. It allowed me to share my story here with you in this book. My problems shaped me into the man you read before you today.
Thank you, everyone, for reading! If you want to follow me on any of the platforms I create on, you can find them here:
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