Best of Back in Skinny Jeans: Originally posted March 16, 2007
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"Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all." ~ Dale Carnegie
At the beginning of every success story is a story about a really crappy, depressing, and seemingly bottomless pit experience. Seriously. Think about it. You can't have a really good tear jerking success story unless someone has started from some chasm of despair and then brought themselves out of it and are now rich, happy, and thriving.
So, if you're having a rotten, seemingly foreboding, dejecting time in your life right now, it could be the beginning of your success story. Think about that for a moment. Don't you feel better already?
When I have crappy days, days when I feel like giving up, days when I just want to close the door and hide under the covers, I keep telling myself that my success story is in progress. I remind myself that my dream is becoming a reality, perhaps not in the way or time table I'd like, but it is happening.
As an example, in the movie, The Pursuit of Happyness, based on the real life story of Chris Gardner played by Will Smith who was home-less, money-less, wife-less, and had a young son to take care of. How daunting is that situation?
In the scene where Chris and his son spend the night in a public bathroom is an example of those times when life appears to be without hope, joy, or answers. That scene was gut wrenching.
But by the end of the movie, Chris kept his promise to his son that his child would know his dad, and they would have a better life. Chris is now a multi-millionaire, and his son grew up to be a man with a father in his life.
I like to hear rags to riches stories because it inspires me to remember that no matter what my situation is in life, I can make a better life for myself. There are people who are coming from places much worse than me, and they have been able to create a life of prosperity and joy. I admire and respect those people.
Adversity builds character, wisdom, and humility. Yeah, it really sucks at the time it's happening to you, but in the end, if you learn the lessons and choose to grow from the experience, it does make you a stronger and better person. Keep looking up!
