People come into our lives to teach us lessons that we may not even think we need.
We all go through individual struggles and trials that are unique to each of us.
We each have lessons to learn in this life, and the best way we learn is through personal experience.
However, the most common struggle is determining WHAT the lesson actually IS! It is most often recognized AFTER the trial. Sometimes, LONG after the trial is over.
I remember when I was younger. I, as every teenager, went through personal struggles, self-esteem and self-worth issues, wondering if I really had a purpose in this life. My faith kept me going. When all seemed dark and hopeless, I felt a sense of peace in knowing that someday, somehow, I would make a difference in the lives of others. I was reassured that the things I was going through were for my own good and one day I would overcome them and be able to help others. I doubted this at the time, but kept faith that maybe, just maybe, it was possible.
Is life easy? No.
Is it difficult to stay HAPPY and POSITIVE although the world is filled with constant negativity, pain, and struggle? Yes it is difficult. Is it possible? Not without effort.
You see, I believe happiness is a choice.
Every little thing we choose to do makes an impact on our day. We choose how to act, how to behave, what we say or don't say, how we treat others, how we react, how we spend our time, and everything in between. We control our OWN choices.
Life is based on a series of never ending CHOICES.
No, we cannot determine the choices for others.
So during a trial or hardship, the way I get through it is to remind myself to choose to believe that everything happens for a reason. Once I remember that, I can look at the situation differently and evaluate a lesson that needs to be learned. Sometimes I see it right away, and sometimes it takes time to finally understand what I need to learn from that trial or experience.
This will continue throughout life. I don't expect to ever stop learning. Look at every trial as a life lesson and you will learn something new every day!
