David JohnsonThe world is full of uncertainty, chaos, and violence. Every day, we are bombarded by news of wars, disasters, crises, and conflicts. It can be hard to stay positive, hopeful, and motivated in such times. It can be easy to feel overwhelmed, helpless, and hopeless.
But it doesn’t have to be this way. You can thrive in uncertain times if you learn how to find your inner drive again. Here are four techniques that can help you do that, based on the inspiring story of Candice Mama, an author who survived a tragic car accident.
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Comparison
When you face your personal issues, you may feel guilty for having them, especially when you compare yourself to others who seem to have bigger problems. But you don’t have to feel guilty for the experiences you got to have. Everyone has their own stories, that have caused heartache and pain. You got to live yours.
Instead of feeling guilty, use comparison in a good way, by finding a suffering mentor. A suffering mentor is someone who has gone through more suffering than you, and who inspires you with their resilience and courage. For Candice, it was Nelson Mandela, who was in prison at the time, and who later became her friend and mentor.
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Control
Most of our suffering comes from wanting to control things we cannot control. We cannot control what happens to us, or to the world. We cannot control other people, or their actions. We cannot control the past, or the future. The only control we have is how we respond to what happens to us.
Having gone through trauma, you cannot just brush it off. You need time to heal and recover. Have compassion for yourself. Don’t blame yourself, or others. Don’t hold on to anger, resentment, or bitterness. Let go of the things you cannot control. Surrender, and focus on the things you can do.
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Choice
After the loss of two loved ones, Candice kept on going, no matter what. She climbed her personal mountain until she didn’t know how to go further. That’s when she fell, coming crashing down, full of hopelessness and sorrow. What helped her through these darkest days was gratitude.
Gratitude is a powerful choice that can change your perspective and your mood. When you think there’s nothing good, you are lying. There is always something to be grateful for, even if it’s just the fact that your heart is beating and you are breathing. That means that you still have a reason to be here. That means that you still have a purpose.
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Compassion
Compassion is the ability to feel and understand the pain of others, and to act to relieve it. Compassion is what makes us human, and what makes us better. It is what the world needs more of, especially in uncertain times.
Come back to you and approach others with love. There is far more good in the world than bad. The bad is just being amplified by the media. Keep your faith and hope. Speak to people and really listen. Listen to understand, not to judge. Listen to connect, not to argue. Listen to heal, not to hurt.
Keep Having Faith
Sometimes, all you can do is just take one day at a time. Keep having faith. You were born with a special magic inside, with a purpose. Reading this means that you care. When you feel overwhelmed, it means that you care. Only when you care, you can create a real impact. Just keep being you. The best way is to take care of yourself so this can spill over.
