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Be Strong And Smile
I apologise for the gap between posts. A wicked combination of misfortune, computer problems and having no internet have kept me silent for longer than intended. I wanted to break that silence today.
This post is for anyone who might be having a hard time out there. We all go through them, but it’s important to remember, no man is an island. No matter how alone you may feel, how hopeless you think your circumstances are, you are not alone. Sometimes we encounter bullies, they present in a multitude of ways. They take joy from the pain of others, they misuse their power/position to marginalise those who they see as prey.
If you can find it in your heart then forgive them, they have their own demons which they are fighting and are obviously losing against. All we can control is how we respond to any outside opposition to our happiness. A smile is your best friend against hardship. Smile often enough and it will improve your day tenfold.
You may not feel like it but stick with it, things can only get better if you believe they will. If you have dreams you have to guard them well from those who want to kill them. If people set up to crush your dreams let them. It’s easier to throw a touchdown if you can see where the blitz is coming from. To defy dream killers you must become what they said you couldn’t. They will tell you that you CAN’T, the truth is they CAN’T but you CAN.
Friends and family are important, they will cheer you up against your will. Encourage you when you feel worthless, hug you when you feel most vulnerable and laugh with you when you feel like frowning. They will remind you of the good times or take your mind off things with embarrassing stories. The point being, there is no need to believe you have to face the dragon alone, especially if you feel like you are losing the battle.
I am writing this today because I have felt this way in the past. I have worn a permanent scowl on my face and gotten away from who I really am. This was my response to any and all who tried to bring me down. In my mind, I was showing a steely resolve. In practice all I was doing was pushing away anyone who knew me as a fun loving person and scaring potential new friends away. I had convinced myself that I was a lone wolf who had to solve all his problems alone, and any cries for help would be admitting defeat.
The voice in my head was telling me that my friends and family would laugh at me and call me weak. I have never been more wrong in my life. Every single person I have ever told what has been going on in my life has been very receptive and encouraging. Sometimes they even get more upset than I do. My friends and family support me in everything I do and they always encourage me to stay positive.
There is a real sense of urgency to fix what went wrong yesterday, today, instead of improving and being stronger for tomorrow. Just think of the things that matter most, health and happiness should top that list. If you have those you have plenty to be positive about. It really puts things in perspective.
Money is a mirage, it is not who we are. Life is a funny thing, you can get so caught up in your own struggle with it that you miss everything that is going right in it for you. We sometimes give too much power to outside nuisances, they do not matter in the grand scheme of things.
In closing, I want to thank everyone who managed to read my soliloquy today. I realise this is not my usual style of post, but in memory of a friend’s passing, I felt compelled to reach out to as many people as possible and reassure you all that things get better. You just have to hang in there. There is always someone who has it worse than you do. We can get so caught up in our own drama, that we forget that there is support willing and able to lighten the burden. Appreciate the people in your life who add to your happiness. Dismiss any and all that don’t!
https://writtenmirror.com/2017/11/a-year-later/
About Jay Mullings
Jay is an ambitious multiple award-winning Screenwriter, Author, Blogger, Film Director who wants to connect with audiences all over the world. Born in London but raised in Jamaica, Jay carries his experiences of both cultures and lends it to his work with his unique but authoritative voice which, he admits not seeing represented enough growing up.
Enquiries…
I can be reached for serious comment and article contributions via email jay@writtenmirror.com if it’s a formal request.
This is so encouraging, and your right in saying the best way to overcome hardship is with a smile. It’s hard to be vulnerable and open but we often shine a light and lead as example for people going through the same thing. Which they often are, and we often don’t know. I’m going to save this and refer to it when I get caught up in keeping my guard up. Thanks Jay
Thank you for reading Lou Lou 🙂
There is some serious thought which has gone into this. No one can argue about your message and those words are inspiring. If it were possible it would be good to show this to a younger generation. While most of them may glance over it and turn their nose the ones it does help may be all the better for it.
Nice article sir, wonderful read.
Bridge
Thank you Cringles was good to have a chat last night. Always good to laugh and relax
If you’ve never suffered from depression you may not get this. But I do and so I know what it is to need to escape. When the cloud overhead is so dark it blocks out all the light, then the best thing is to close your eyes. Sleep endlessly and let your dreams be real. Float and let yourself soar in a sunshine dream sky.
A welcome reminder that we all stronger than we may believe and we also can draw strength from others so we shouldn’t push them away. Thank you for a very inspiring post.
I like it very well said. Pride is mans greatest flaw it causes us to hide in our times of need because of the our fear of being judged.
Great read, i too have been guilty of thinking that i didn’t need anyone’s help to get through tough situations. You reminded me that there are people around who care, even if we may not know it 🙂
Always a pleasure Candace 🙂
Great article. From the heart and it touched me. Sometimes we try to be so strong but in doing so we are at our weakest. Well done. Lovely read.
Thanks Inez you have always been very supportive.
I am so proud of you and honestly want to publish this letter.
Well written and well said and amazingly profound!
Thank you Tammy I appreciate your kind words.
Jay, this is so good. Its very powerful and I really like what you’ve wrote and told me to always be strong and smile when you’re having a bad time. It’s told me to always know I have friends and family which care. It was such a good read. Proud of you.
You did put a smile on my face today ????
Very well said, nothing like the truth.