Beyond the Wilderness: 4 Strategies When Life is Uphill
Positive thinking is a crushing burden when you believe it prevents adversity, resistance, and uncertainty. Everyone navigates the wilderness.
Moses spent 40 years in the desert. Nelson Mandela spent 27 years in prison. In the 1930s, Winston Churchill was marginalized because he warned England about Hitler.
The wilderness is an inner experience, not a place.
You’re in the wilderness when:
You’re in the wilderness when you can’t find the crest of the hill. Our home is surrounded by hills. You sigh when you make it to the top of steep hills. Your feet feel lighter.
In barren lands your knees shake, and you moan more than you sing. The future feels dark when you can’t find the shade.
4 strategies when life is uphill:
#1. Small acts of defiance.
Nelson Mandela asserted his power by walking a little slower than his guards wanted. Our need for dramatic results defeats us when hurricanes persist.
#2. Slow down – don’t sit down.
There’s a three-mile loop from our house that feels all uphill. I remember one windy day when it felt like the gods opposed me with headwinds. It felt like a battle. When possible, keep going.
#3. Change course.
“If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. Then quit. There’s no point in being a fool about it.” Attributed to W.C. Fields
Life changes when it must. Don’t throw in the towel. Adjust the sails. Adapt.
#4. Clarify values.
Disconnecting from values is barrenness of your own making. Know what’s important and bind it to your heart.
It’s hard to stand when you lose touch with something to stand for.
Warning: The deadliest wilderness is self-imposed by self-accusation. Write the words of your inner critic on a piece of paper and throw it away.
Which suggestion listed above seems most relevant to you today?
What suggestions to you have for navigating the wilderness?
Still curious:
Tom Rath on Getting the Most From Adversity
10 proven ways on how to overcome adversity in life (tonyrobbins.com)
Not sure how you’re able to do this day after day, Dan! But everyday, opening this page, is like going to the mountain and getting a new nugget of wisdom.
Thanks so much for sharing thought-provoking wisdom every day!
It’s my pleasure, Palaugb. Contributing is an opportunity and a privilege. I wish you well.
Agreed. Great Perspective.
I like the line: Life changes when it must. Don’t throw in the towel. Adjust the sails.
Anthony
Thanks Anthony. I appreciate you taking a moment to share a good word. Cheers.
Great motivation for today. I had a sleepless night due to thoughts about the events of the day. Today I am adjusting the sails. Thank you for your inspiration.
Oh I hate those sleepless night. But they happen. I wish you well today and a good night’s rest tonight.
“Write the words of your inner critic on a piece of paper and throw it away.” Genius! Just don’t forget to crumple it up for good measure (and additional self-satisfaction)!
One of my clients found great relief from his inner critic by simply noticing and recording the things he said to himself. Just noticing, not trying to correct it was enough. If you want to go the extra mile, burn the list. 🙂
With respect to your point 4, clarify values, I like the Nietzsche quote, “He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how.”
Love that quote, Sam. Thanks for adding it.
I’m facing a significant challenge – and this wisdom will stay with me: Know what’s important and bind it to your heart. Thanks for reminding me that this is my North Star.
Glad you found something useful, Bonnie. Challenges can make us forget what’s important. We get lost in the weeds. Finding solutions consumes us. It’s useful to lift our eyes and reflect on our reason for doing things. I wish you well.