Today is Thanksgiving! The special US holiday when we eat too much food and say how grateful we are for things, right before Black Friday when we go buy the things we want but don’t have. Ironic, isn’t it?
We all have struggles, of varying degrees, but we can also find a silver lining. To name a few, I have been struggling with a few class assignments using Microsoft Excel. I am generally good at it but this struggle has had me ripping my hair out! The last thing I wanted was to go out of town this week to go see family, so I could stay home and focus on my homework. Turns out, one of my aunts is really good at Microsoft Excel! She helped me so much. Speaking of that aunt, she has had to undergo treatments for three different types of cancer in the last three years, two of which were found in her head. For those who don’t know, chemo can cause something called “chemo brain”, which is when someone develops cognitive problems, such as memory and concentration struggles. Her chemo brain is due to damage to the cells in her brain. She was happy but also sad to tell me that “the one thing that chemo brain could never take from me is this.” It was very bittersweet. That is her silver lining.
When you struggle, look to these silver linings
- You’re living!
Another day is another chance to improve
- Someone in the world loves you.
Many people feel that they don’t have anyone to rely on, but someone in your life loves you.
- You haven’t given up.
The easiest thing to do in life is give up. Managing to push on shows you still have faith that good things can happen.
- Slow progress is still progress.
Just keep going, one step forward is another step more than you had before.
- Not getting what you want sometimes protect you.
I worked at a school and was let go without cause. I had no idea, and still have no idea, what I had done wrong. It felt so unfair. I learned less than a week later that I had been doing three times the work of the other people with the same position, pay, and hours. A year later, they still haven’t filled the position. I didn’t realize they had taken advantage of my inexperience.
- Strong emotions mean you care.
Sadness, anger, frustration, they don’t come from nothing. Feeling those emotions means you’re not mentally checked out.
- Starting over means rebuilding better.
A new beginning is scary, but it’s a fresh start and and leaving behind what didn’t suit you.
Happy Thanksgiving, what’s your silver lining?
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