In life, it is inevitable that we will have valleys through which we must walk, times of despair, defeat and discouragement. These journeys will be easier, these burdens lighter to bear, if we prepare ourselves. Self-awareness, knowing and understanding your current coping strategies, is a powerful tool that takes time to grow. Notice your triggers, both positive (what brings a smile to your face?) and negative (whose energy do you find it challenging to deal with and why?). Record them in your journal and think through how you responded. Was it effective? Problems aren’t the problem. Learning how to cope with the problems is the problem. Solving a problem is a one-off, learning how to cope with problems is a life-long gift to yourself. For example, every disciplined effort has multiple rewards. One of the best ways to learn good coping skills is to observe those who are coping well. As Tony Robbins says, find those who are doing what you want to do and copy them.

Closing Quotes:

“The oak fought the wind and was broken, the willow bent when it must and survived.” – Robert Jordan, The Fires of Heaven

“Strong people alone know how to organize their suffering so as to bear only the most necessary pain.” – Emil Dorian

“It’s your reaction to adversity, not adversity itself that determines how your life’s story will develop.” – Dieter F. Uchtdorf

“Rock bottom became the solid foundation in which I rebuilt my life.” – J.K. Rowling

As always, I share what I most want and need to learn. – Nathan S. Collier