Dear Editor,
Life becomes more difficult if we give up. Impossible may be a better way to describe quitting. Once we quit then how can we expect to go forward or be successful? We can’t because the runner wins by staying in the race. Only one person wins the race but many finish the race. The race is tiring and grueling but there is a good feeling associated by completing the journey.
There are many obstacles that we face in life. Discouragement is a major one. There are lots discouragers in life Bad health can be very difficult and painful to overcome. Sometimes we are fortunate, and we can come back to health. Sometimes bad health beats us down until we can’t go on. Pain, disabilities are progressive disease become a battle that takes everything we have to stay in the race and continue the journey. We should never be sofa coaches when commenting on other persons health struggles. None of us until we personally have our own battle. Yet, we all must do all we can with all the medical means available to win over the challenges that come with health challenges. We all will face them if we live very long.
Another discourager may be the people with whom you associate. Do they make you better or diminish you? Do they see the good in you? Do they build you up? Do they affirm your efforts, work and life? If your only good vibes come from strangers then maybe you need to find some different friends. A true friend will tell you the truth but will not hesitate to applaud your talents, attainments and achievements. This helps immensely with your life’s race. This is one of the reasons we have cheerleaders at ballgames. The players on the field are encouraged by cheering fans. We all need some of that for our daily lives. Be willing to give some of that to others. You need it yourself and thank those who cheer for you along the way of life.
Stay creative. Don’t give up your creativity. Discouragement often robs us of creative energy. We begin to feel useless, helpless and overwhelmed. We begin to feel life is impossible. We have all had bleak moments. Relationships disappoint us. Careers or business ventures go south. There are always a few failures to throw into the mix of life. We become drained, exhausted and can’t see beyond our situation. This is when we have to stir up our creativity. The first place to start may be going to bed and getting some sleep, but stay there. Get rest and refocus.
Utilize your known resources. This may be your family, friends, church, your faith, your talents, whatever resources you have. If you feel you do not have any resources then ask for help. Pray, talk to a counselor, a minister, a real friend, but someone who can help you to evaluate your life and determine real motivators for pushing forward.
Dr. Glenn Mollette
