Do Not Become Discouraged

“Ships don’t sink because of the water around them; ships sink because of the water that gets in them. Don’t let what’s happening around you get inside you and weigh you down.”  – Unknown

It’s fairly normal for us to feel discouraged at times in our lives….times when people disappoint us, times we disappoint ourselves, times when things don’t go as hoped for, times where circumstances aren’t as we’d like… 

While its normal to “feel discouraged” what we cannot afford to do is let ourselves “become discouraged”.  Because there is a big difference in feeling and becoming – “feeling it” is temporary, whereas “becoming it” will stop us from moving forward and we will quickly become stuck where we are.

Last week was a tough week and the further the week went on, and additional hardships came, the more discouraged I found myself feeling.  When I finally reached the weekend I sat down on my couch and I cried. I don’t like crying, and it takes a lot before I will, but I’d held it together as long as I could and the tears came pouring out.  Sitting there in that moment, I realized that if I wasn’t careful I was going to go from “feeling discouraged” to “becoming discouraged”, and I knew I couldn’t let that happen.

In an attempt to take my mind off things my husband suggested we snuggle up in a blanket and watch a Hallmark Christmas Movie together.  One Hallmark movie turned to two, then two to three, and before we knew it an entire day had passed watching Christmas movies together. It was exactly what I needed because it reminded me that the best way to avoid becoming discouraged, as well as the best way to overcome feeling discouraged, is to focus our time and attention on that which brings us joy. 

Don’t let yourself feel weighed down with discouragement. There’s nothing you can do to change the past, but there is a lot you can do to change the future, so focus your time and attention on that. 

~Amy Rees Anderson (author of the book “What Awesome Looks Like: How To Excel in Business & Life” )

2 Comments

  • Anonymous says:

    The Hallmark Christmas movies are quickly becoming therapy for many, because they portray a world many of us knew and enjoyed, and the outcome is always a happy one.
    How about writing a column about just that, some day?
    Kudos for getting yourself out of the down mood!

  • Ralph says:

    My wife absolutely loves the Hallmark. More than one time I have snuggled with her on the couch, watching those movies.

    The problem is the TV has never found me a single investor, however, my wife also watches cooking shows. In my mind that is beyond boring, but she loves it, so sometimes I watch with her while trying to get things done on my laptop. One time G….T….., (US Olympian, Volvo Ocean Race, and America’s Cup) was a judge in the cupcake show. I jumped. Finally something on one of those shows that had value for me. I chased down G…..T….. we talked several times for more than an hour, she will probably be part of my team. I am putting together the CupRoyale a combination of the Volvo Ocean Race and Formula One. We expect to take it public. Formula One is traded on the NASDAQ and the OTC. Why can’t we do the same. My point is spending time with my wife is it’s own reward. However, sometimes it has additional rewards.

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