I started this blog 11 days ago, and most of the feedback has been positive (which I thank you all so much for!) but there has also been some negative comments directed at me. Most of them have come via my Facebook group page, Inspiring Diaries, and have included the following statements.
“How can you tell me to be positive when you have no idea what my situation is…”
“You’ve obviously got no idea how hard it to be positive all the time when shit goes wrong…”
“You mustn’t have been in the real world before, coz life is fucked up, life sux!”
That last statement prompted me to write this post….
Mustn’t have been in the real world? Let me tell you a bit about a bit…
Come for a trip back to around May 2015. Everything was going pretty great, I had a beautiful 4brm home with my teenagers. I had 2 gorgeous dogs, and had taken back up my passion of writing, after finally regaining my full vision – Life was pretty cruisy. Now let’s fast forward to 5 months ago, my world went to shit! I made mistakes, I lost custody of 2 out of 3 of my teenagers, I lost my house – my safe zone, my haven, my peace, I had to rehome my 4 legged boys, whom mind you, were my best friends. I was too proud (throw in some stubborn with that) to ask for help, and I nearly kissed it all Goodbye. I spent several nights sleeping in my car, in the minus degree temperatures, family dinners with the 3rd teen became dinners in the car under a streetlight and that so-called light at the end of the tunnel only appeared to get further away. So, the real world, when shit goes wrong, I had well and truly had a taste of.
But! I didn’t kiss it all goodbye, I soldiered on, I got over the negative outlook that had taken over me, and I believed in myself and in the power of thinking positively. I told myself every morning that today was going to be a good day, I reassured myself that I was worth it, and I was good enough. I’m not saying it was as easy as that, occasionally the negative thoughts tried to creep back in, but I didn’t let them win this time, nor was I going to. Instead of waiting for that light to start shining in the tunnel, I became the light.
I’ve now secured another home, dinners are enjoyed at home with my son, and progress has been made with my other 2 teenagers. Finding solid employment is still a work in process, but in the meantime, I put my spare time and effort into writing. I find inspiring things to write about, I create inspirational pictures to share with others and maybe, just maybe, I’ll help others to begin to think positively about life. In all honesty, even if I only inspire just one person, then that’s another positive mission I can say I achieved.
This wasn’t written to gain any sort of brownie points with you, nor was it written to say that I know what your situation is, everyone’s journey is different. This was written to say I DO know that at times, life can suck, I DO know how fucked up it can get, and to also say that with a more positive outlook on life, it CAN become a lot more positive.
Tis all.
Til next time,
Stay safe, stay smiling!
Stay strong my friend. There sure is reason to be positive even amongst life’s worst. I wrote a blog called Glorious Ruins which went along these lines too. Keep sharing your thoughts! 🙂
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Thanks Jonathon 🙂 There certainly is, I agree. I’m keen to read your blog and off to check it out. Much appreciation
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kudos on how you were so willing to share some of your deepest scars on this blog too. Isn’t always easy sharing that stuff
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Thanks. That’s true, it can be hard to bare bones as such, but if it helps other readers to know that I can relate to some situations, and have “practiced what I preach” then it’s definitely worth it 🙂
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Aren’t assumptions funny! Well, good for you for putting paid to that idea that you don’t know what hardship is. Those Facebook comments are much more about the people making them, than you. Some people’s troubles make the hard and bitter but every now and then some like you comes along and your struggles make you strong and courageous. You got this!
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That they are Tania. Thanks heaps, much appreciated 🙂
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I am so glad that you’ve started blogging and would welcome you to the blogging world. With hard work and patience, you’ll achieve your goals.
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Thanks Fatima 🙂
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I’m glad you were able to maintain a positive outlook while going through those tough times. I think that really is helpful.
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Thanks Liz, admittedly it took hitting absolute rockbottom before the positive outlook, and it taught me that without it, nothing positive will take place. Thanks for reading 🙂
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Wow a true inspiration! Keep on pushing mama 🙂
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Thanks Megan, much appreciated 🙂
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I believe that each of us has their own story and sometimes it seems like it’s impossible to look up and think in a positive way. Some people can do it easily, as it’s in their nature, but some can’t at all. And we are all seeing things from our own life’s perspective.
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I agree Joanna, everyone’s journey is different. Thanks for reading 🙂
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This is very inspirational and true. Sometimes is going better… but sometimes…e.g. for me this year isn’t easy at all. I hope next year will be better!! Sending a lot of positive vibes!!
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Sorry to read this year hasnt been an easy one for you. Sending loadz of positive vibes for the remainder of the year and wishing you an even better one for next year. x
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This is such a inspiration.. Glad you started blogging and best wishes to you and our blog 🙂 Stay strong dear!
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Thanks Soniya 🙂 Much appreciated
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This post brought tears to my eyes. For people to be so cruel with comments aggravates me so much. I agree with you that there is something so rewarding in staying positive even when things are going absolutely wrong. I am so happy to hear that things are turning around for you.
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Thankyou 💜 much appreciated
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People should never judge others especially if we don’t know their story or what they’ve been through. I’ve been through a lot as well and being positive definitely helped me go through the tough times. If it were not for my positive outlook, I would have given up on life entirely.
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Kudos to you for keeping up with life and losing it. I am sure the person you are today can take on anything and anyone.
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Thank you 🙂 Bring it on I say lol
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Well written. As Elizabeth stated, we don’t know what others are going through, or their past. How unfair it is to judge. I love the positive outlook you have – that will sustain you through life. Thanks for a cool blog!
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Thanks Vicki 🙂
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At times life is a bed of roses but often a bed of thrones! There’re highs and lows in everyone’s life but what matters most is how we tackle with all the lows in our life. In the end, nothing is permanent. There is always a silver lining after darkness!
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Spot on Ana 👍 thanks for reading 🙂
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This is such an inspiring post. I’m so happy that you’ve found a way to fight your way through and become a preacher for positive change in our own lives. Amazing!
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Thank you Lubka much appreciated 🙂
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It can definitely be hard for people to accept the positive outlook approach as theyre not in the same state but all we can do is just live through example and show others that there is a positive out a negative. Love the post!
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Thats what I hope to achieve Jennifer it can be very difficult in the low times but finding something positive to focus on, even if its just one thing,is a definite start. Thanks for reading 🙂
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Like Gil Renard once said, “positive things happen to positive thinkers.” By the way, “Good Enough” is a Van Halen song!
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Wow that’s crazy that you’ve been through all that. You are for sure stronger for it! I for one am glad for your honesty. Sometimes life just sucks.
Nina
aworldofdresses.com
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Thanks Nina 🙂 sometimes it can but how we deal with it defines how sucky we let it be 👌
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