Does Everyone Have Struggles In Their Lives – Or Is It Just Me?
Am I the only one who struggles with things?
Some of the things of this nature that I struggle with are tangibles.
The biggest is my health. But for many reasons, the primary reasons behind my weight issues, thus, are intangible.
This stems from the underlying struggles ranging from philosophical – who, what, where, how, and why am I; to societal and personal – am I good enough, will this make them like me more, will I be more acceptable to him/her/them if I’m another way, and so on.
Couple all that with ongoing mental and emotional struggles like depression, self-worth issues, self-value questions, and the like – and these things are many and easily overwhelming.
Logically, I know I’m not the only one who struggles with these things.
Everybody struggles with something
Tangible or intangible, everybody struggles.
Big or small, important and unimportant, everybody is struggling with things. And the reason is simple – because you’re human.
There are three absolute certainties of life for everybody. You’re born, you live, you die.
Ultimately, you and I are alone. And alone can lead to loneliness - which is why we seek connections with friends, family, strangers, and so on.
Recognizing, acknowledging, and embracing our struggles
Virtually every good or service you can buy is sold to you on the premise that it’ll lessen a given struggle.
When it comes to your health, wellness, and wellbeing – and struggles therein – it’s in you.
That doesn’t mean you have no choice but to go it alone. Lots of programs, books, medical professionals, therapists, videos, and more can offer insight, assistance, and help with this.
Embracing change, growth, and evolution
The one and only constant in the entire universe is change. It can, will, and does occur all the time.
This in and of itself can be deeply distressing to people. Things are a certain way, have felt to always be that certain way – and when they aren’t, uncertainty is disconcerting.
This is the source of probably almost – if not all - of our struggles, tangible and intangible.
We need to talk about this more
This gets shunted off to taboo, impropriety, and other notions of inappropriateness so that we don’t discuss it.
I believe that the more we recognize, acknowledge, and embrace our struggles to one another – the more we’re empowered to work with them, together and individually.
This week’s Applied Guidance for Mindfulness Tool:
This week’s tool is super simple.
Do something extra kind and nice for yourself. One day this week, set aside time for yourself (and if it will feel good, include a loved one/loved ones). Treat yourself to an exotic desert, a delicious meal, a movie, a play, time in a hammock or on the beach, or something equally relaxing and pleasant.
No phone, no tablet, no connections to the outside world. Escape and do something that makes you feel good, content, and free of struggles. For however long you allow yourself – simply be in that space.
Blogs: titaniumdon.com and mjblehart.medium.com
Original cover art artist Fe Mahoney: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TaliasInspirations