How to Stop Fighting Life
Life is an interesting journey. There are portions which come naturally, and others which are quite an adventure, a challenge to look at, let alone face. Oddly enough, knowing these challenges are awaiting us, many still choose to fight life, especially the moments that should be the easiest. The question becomes, why do we choose to fight? Why do we actively make life harder?
There is no easy answer. For some, any change, no matter how natural, is overwhelming, too much to handle, too far from what is known. Others choose to be difficult, to never be happy, find joy or pursue what life holds. And some, choose to be a victim, knowing if they never take responsibility for their actions they will never have to own their mistakes, eternally blaming everyone else for their failures.
No matter what path we choose, life is hard. Often for no other reason than life is hard, unfair, and while we say the challenges build character, life is not so kind as to afford us the opportunity to grow. Life is vengeful, harsh, even petty. Her goal is to pursue her passions come what may for the rest of us.
Rather than blame hardships on life, or even dare to say that life could be or should be easier, life is what you make of it. How you choose to view life produces the results you get. When we choose to see opportunities to grow, to do better, to be better people, we are making the most out of what we are given. Having an optimistic outlook, choosing to see the good in situations, makes us attractive to others with the same outlook. Like attracts like, choosing to believe we can attract good, opportunities, and positive outlooks, we are choosing to attract people similar to ourselves.
The question then becomes, how do we stop fighting life? How do we learn to not see her petty nature, to stop saying challenges build character? We change our perspective. We create a perspective which is in alignment with the outcomes we desire. We acknowledge coming challenges, but rather than spend time dreading and worrying over them, we choose to focus on taking one step at a time, working toward our goals with dogged determination.
Once we accept the facts of life, the hardships, challenges, and setbacks stop worrying about them, and instead face them with valor and bravery, understanding all the tools we need to be successful are in us, we just must learn to use them, we stop fighting life. The energy we wasted on the fight, the time we wasted on worrying, can now be devoted to learning, self-growth, and self-love. Imagine the time and energy we could gain with this mindset.
Stopping the fight against life will not be easy. We were born fighting, and have watched our families fight. Yet the only way we can achieve more, grow more, is to learn to stop old patterns and behaviors, learn to challenge ourselves to be more, see more, and have a different perspective. Attracting people who feel the same way will be a challenge, but holding out for the support network, waiting for the friends, peers, and mentors who will push us is worth the wait.
An easy first step to take is to acknowledge you have all the tools you need to be successful inside of you. Knowing this and reminding yourself of this fact will help you as you face challenges. Being open to learning how to use these tools will empower you as you face challenges. Once you have mastered this knowledge, taking every day one minute at a time, celebrating the beauty and joy you encounter, acknowledging your worth, as well as the worth of others, you have won the battle.
You see, stopping the fight is as simple as knowing you are capable and worthy, appreciating the beauty of life, seeing it as a gift, and acknowledging all we can face is one minute at a time. This philosophy combined with an optimistic outlook will ensure a life filled with peace and opportunities.
Sincerely,
Sara O
