Life is definitely full of disappointments, ups and downs and challenges. No doubt about that. These difficult times in life can elicit strong emotions that range from feeling frustration in general to feeling like an outright failure and wanting to give up right away.
Part of my journey, which I document right here on my blog is a promise to live my life to the fullest, as long as my heart is beating and I’m healthy. This means that giving up isn’t an option for me. What frequently shapes those feelings of giving up is having a hard time believing that, given the specific situation you’ll find yourself in, there’s a huge possibility for the circumstances to change for you. If you don’t do anything different, then that might be true. However, you have to change your life in order for that to happen. It requires you to make changes in your behavior, attitude and thought. Change doesn’t necessarily need to be drastic, however, you need to start making changes today if you have feelings of wanting to give up.
I’ve put together a couple of thoughts which, hopefully, will help you get moving in the right direction.
Stop blaiming other people or circumstances
It may very well be true that you were born into poverty, lied to, abused, ripped off or experienced numerous other hardships. What you might not be aware of is that you carry this history with you each day, mainly in how you view the world. Each action you take and every thought you have puts its own stamp on events. Now is the time for you to set them free. Take out a piece of paper and write down all the circumstances and people that you clame responsible. Then just crumple it up. Tell yourself that you won’t blame anything for your failures or successes. Now, take your crumpled up paper and light it on fire in a safe place. Flush the ashes down the toilet.
Leave the past behind
You and I can learn a lot from the past. However, it can also be a constant reminder of what all of our inadequacies are. I use the visual of having my back squared up on the past and my arms wrapped tightly around my future. You can’t do anything to change your past, and all of the would haves, should haves and could haves can paralyze you into wanting to give up.
Find somebody you can talk to
It could mean speaking with a family member, friend, clergy, or at times even a stranger. For people who don’t have anybody to speak with, many hotlines are available and also sites on the internet where you can discuss your problems or even suicidal thoughts you might be having. Many other people have gone through the same things you have and understand on a very intimate level how you are feeling right now.
Rediscover your gratitude
For many years now, you’ve heard calls for gratitude coming from all four corners of the religious and self-help communities. In fact, you may have heard it so much that you’ve tuned it out or dropped the ball when it comes to this. If you’ve given up, then there’s a good chance that developing your gratitude isn’t one of the habits you practice on a daily basis. However, it can be a very powerful and motivating force to acknowledge things in your life that you are grateful for. Write down one thing at least that you are grateful for. Every morning when you get up and every night before you go to sleep, thank each of the entries that are on your list. Just focus on those items. It’s being grateful for the things you have and not being bitter for the ones you don’t. It will give you a new perspective on life and how to make the changes that are needed.
Find spirituality
Spirituality comes from various countries around the world, having different faiths and different beliefs concerning God. Some of us are most certainly agnostic or atheist. So how can you find spirituality in form of „God“? A great place to start would be a place of worship if you belong to an organized religion. Whether it’s a Temple, Mosque or church based on the Bible, there should be somebody there who can help to remind you of the divine nature within you. Meditation is another option that some of you may use to find spirituality. There is a saying that says , we talk to God when we pray, and God talks to us when we meditate. All of us have a divine nature inside of us that is capable of making our lives extraordinary.
Don’t give up!
Leave A Comment