Lights Out
“Everyone has a plan till they get punched in the mouth.” Mike Tyson
In boxing, the most dangerous punch is the one you don’t see coming. The same is true in life. Punches come at us from places we never expect: The Doctor’s report telling us we have something terminal, the spouse telling you that they don’t love you anymore, the company you thought you had a career with says they are downsizing and you are being let go. The list is endless.
There are two questions that come to mind:
- How do you prepare for the unexpected punches of life?
- How are you going to respond?
Preparing for things that you never see coming is pretty difficult because none of us can see into the future and know for sure what is going to happen. Of course, we can do common sense things like save money for emergencies, live below our means, take care of our health, and nurture our relationships. Those simple things may be the very things that help us weather the storms that are coming.
How we respond to life’s difficulties is crucial.
- Don’t quit.
- Learn the lesson.
- Fall seven times, stand up eight.
Nobody likes tough times, and yet it is those times that reveal our true character. How we respond when we get punched in the face matters. We can let it defeat us, or we can let it catapult us to another level. It can demoralize us, or it can make us more resolute that we will win next time.
Don’t let the trials and tribulations you are facing suck the joy out of your life. They will if you let them. Understand that this is a season and it will pass. Even if the season is a lifetime, it can be more than just endured if you learn to thrive, not just survive. You thrive when you put your heart totally into it. You face your fears. You prepare for the battle. You take one step forward at a time. It may just be a baby step…but if you move forward in life, that in itself is a victory.
Shalom!
Dan Skognes