We all know someone who could use a pep talk… so write them one!
The thought that keeps swirling around my brain as I look at this prompt, is that at the ripe old age of 46, I have learned a few lessons that actually make sense and work, at least for me. I think that one of the more difficult ones is to not run away from your problems. First of all you cannot outrun a problem, it doesn't have legs and more often than not, the problem is within yourself, not that anyone is a problem, but they may be approaching a situation incorrectly or irresponsibly, either way it can be fixed and that is what needs to be addressed, running away never solves the problem. Secondly running away doesn't necessarily mean literally running away, there are many forms of running away and each and every one of them is self-destructive.
Another lesson is that it is always darkest before the dawn and it is true. You may think that whatever is confronting you, scaring you or plaguing you is the worst possible thing in the universe where in reality, it is your fear that is giving whatever is challenging you, its outsize proportions. When you do confront the problem, it is amazing how less scary it actually is and how doable the solution can be, we are often our own downfall because we inflate things in our minds to insurmountable issues when,if one approaches it in peace and quiet, the solution is there, it may take time and discipline to achieve the results, but it can be done.
My perennial mantra is "and this too shall pass". Every impasse, every obstacle, it too shall be overcome, thought out or diminish with time. Things that might seem to be too much to bear today, in a few years time, will be remembered as not that bad.
My ultimate favorite remains "since everything works out in the end, if it isn't working out, then it isn't the end". That saying gives me the solace to take deep breaths when I think that it can't get any worse and I remember that worse is only what I make of it in my mind.
Everything is a matter of perspective, there are seriously some troubles that are very grave and can't be solved, however if one can think that things shall pass, tomorrow is another day, if today hasn't worked out, then that means there is always a chance for tomorrow to work out better, it has to be better than falling down the pit of despair and sorrow. Hope I think is the buffer against total sadness, all of my sayings have the theme of hope as its common thread.
I have been very down at certain times in my life and thankfully I have come away retaining my sense of optimism, it's a small spark, but better a small spark than none at all, I have to say that learning and believing in these sayings, has helped me to evade my depressive episodes.
I realize that this isn't the cheeriest of pep talks, I didn't feel in a very Rah-Rah mood, I preferred to write from the heart and give my take as to what works for me when I am feeling close to despair or close to giving up. That is when a pep talk is in order, this is what I came up with.
laurieanichols 