Sometimes all this positivity really gets me down. I read the blogs and listen to the podcasts of those self-help and positivity pros, and sometimes they are really depressing. I don’t know if they’re disguising the fact that life isn’t always great, or if they just want to make sure that they are constantly bombarding me with the Happy and the Positive.
Can Everything Really Always be that Great?
Maybe they think that if they show a little stress, that we won’t have as much faith in them. Maybe they don’t want to seem vulnerable. They all talk about how life isn’t always up, but we don’t really get to see it. So we think that we are supposed to be okay with the notion that life isn’t always grand.
However, when we don’t know exactly when they’re struggling what is troubling them, do we expect that of ourselves? Do we expect to not struggle? Or just hide it when we do?
If we asked them, they’d say that they absolutely are down now and then. They’ll bring it up now and then, not very often, but it’s only after the fact.
I’m not saying they are wrong. They’re the pros. I’m just the guy trying it all out. I’m not criticizing them. I hope it doesn’t sound that way. I need what they do the way they do it.
Maybe That’s my Job
So here goes. Even though I’m already 240 words into this bad boy and thinking it’s time to wrap it up.
First off, I hope I’m not really thought of as the Happiness Dude. That’s a little too flowery sunshine for my comfort. Maybe that’s what compels me to do this.
This guy who wants to be famous for being the best at teaching you what to do to be happy has bad days.
Very recently, I had a bad month–month with an s at the end. That seems like an overly dramatic way to say, “months.”
I think it could turn out that that bad month could be a great month, though. All the absurdities at work, those feelings of cubicle claustrophobia and being trapped are what encouraged me to really get working on this online presence thing. So maybe those terrible, depressing weeks will be some of the best weeks of my life. We’ll have to stay tuned for that. Btw, if my boss is reading this, I’m not talking about you. I’m talking about that other stuff.
This is a good time to reiterate the Don’t Wait advice. If I had got to work sooner, maybe I could have avoided those months.
I should say that…
Things Aren’t Great Right Now
I’m still really frustrated with my current vocation. I’m frustrated that I can’t afford to take my family to see wonderful places in the world. I’m frustrated that I don’t have more money and time to donate to worthy causes. I’m frustrated that I don’t have the wherewithal to help my friends whom I see struggling. I’m frustrated that I haven’t accomplished enough to make them believe that this sort of thing is possible.
I’m frustrated that Yoast SEO is deducting readability points for this post because I’m started too many sentences with, “I’m frustrated that…”
Ok. Maybe that’s a little too much real. It’s still real, though. So if you’re struggling, you can know that I’m either there too, or have been there too.
The best of them, of us, struggle often. Just make sure you use your struggles as an obstacle course, not obstacles.
[share-quote author=”Shayne Seymour” via=”IndyHayHay”] Use your struggles as an obstacle course, not obstacles. [/share-quote]
If life puts a mountain between you and your oasis, try to have some fun hiking and climbing.
Did I throw the mountain metaphor in there a little too abruptly? As I said, I’m learning.
What do you think? What would you prefer to see more, how great everything is or how challenging it can be on the road to greatness?
Let me know what you think. Then go in peace.