What is it about life anyway?

What is it about life, anyway, that it can get us down at the drop of a hat?  Well, maybe not that easily ALL the time.  After all, most of us at least like to say that it takes a lot more than your average disappointment to really get us down in the dumps.

Yet, it seems that there is always something to bring me down.  Another hurdle.  Another wall. Another door slammed in the face.  Another unkind word.  Another thoughtless action.  Another episode of spiteful behavior.  Another evil intent.  And it's not always that I'm the one being thoughtless, spiteful, unkind or just plain dumb.  It's that I find myself being treated this way by others.  And it leaves me feeling confused, hurt, angry, down.

I was reminded yet again last week by more than one person, that it's not always going to be my fault.  That right now, it's not my fault.  No matter how much I want to take on the blame for everything going wrong, I simply cannot.  I did what I could.  I did more than what I thought was possible. I put out my best effort.  And was met with what most would deem failure. Perhaps it wasn't "failure" after all, just one more battle lost in the big scheme of things, another lesson learned. I know I'm learning.  Lots. 

So. . . .I find myself once again looking for the silver lining.  The light at the end of the tunnel.  Actively seeking all the things in my life for which I can be grateful - and yes, there are many.  I find myself "coaching" the timid, sad, misplaced little part of the inner me to realize that it's not all about me; in the sense that, when you've done all you can, stand.  Stand strong.  But don't worry about what others do in response to your best intentions, your sweetest offerings, your most sacrificial actions.  Because in the end, just as in the here and now, the only one you are responsible for is you.  Yes, it most certainly is easier said than done, this positive self-talk and the choice to move on and realize you've done all you can and it's just not up to you anymore.  But I've been told, it can be done.  With time.  With effort.  With discipline. With willingness.  I'm trying . . . .

Just some of my thoughts for today . . . . hope these help you somehow!