11th Nov, 2021
I am currently reading Robin Sharma’s latest book, “The Everyday Hero Manifesto.”
I have always found his writing very motivational and inspirational and he is always urging you to try for the maximum, aim for the stars, utilise you full potential and not to settle for anything less. I particularly like reading his text when Iam feeling down and disturbed.
I just finished reading a chapter titled, It’s Okay Not to be Okay and Iam taking the liberty of reproducing it here because it really struck a chord.
‘Our civilization sells us the idea that if we’re not smiley and happy and if puppies aren’t dancing and rainbows do not stream into the windowpanes of perfect days, something’s wrong with us.
Here’s what I’ve learned: an intensely lived life requires getting into the arena, taking multiple risks, pursuing numerous paths, getting knocked around a fair amount and dealing with the stormy gales of treacherous seas more than makes rational sense.
These words by Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw offer me inspiration on difficult days: “The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man.”
I’ve also realized that it’s because of the tough and tumultuous times we all endure, that we are actually able to fully experience the pleasures of the good times, when they show up. And they always will—even when it seems that they won’t.
“We could never learn to be brave and patient if there were only joy in the world,” Helen Keller taught us.
I must admit that when things don’t go my way, it can be unpleasant. I don’t laugh as much and I worry more. I’m not as energetic or as creative. I don’t have the same productive exuberance and can’t access the same fire in the belly.
Yet I’ve learned that Not feeling absolutely okay is absolutely okay.’
Isn’t it true for all of us? But at every downturn, we start to question God’s will, we forget the good times and start asking, “Why me?” forgetting that everything has a purpose, both the upturns and the downturns. Setbacks, struggle and being stuck in confusion are part of being a human—never to be judged as “bad” and “wrong.” It’s just a necessary pit stop on the journey that we’re meant to experience, during this ride we call a lifetime.
Definitely remember – It’s okay not to be okay and stay blessed forever.