In tough times, we can improve them by what we choose to focus on. Don’t waste time dwelling on what isn’t and bemoaning what is. Go ahead and take five minutes to lament, cry, scream… whatever way you want to express the stress. Then, brush it off and move on.
Turn to gratitude by focusing on the good. Focus on what you can do, not on what you can’t. Focus on what you do have, not on what you don’t. Invite what you want into your life by setting goals, planning and visioning.
It may not be what you wanted, but it is what is. So when times are tough, the very best any of us can do is to make the most of what is.
And you know the saying:
“When the going gets tough, the tough get going.”
Failure makes you stronger if you learn from it, or weaker if you run from it.
SOURCE: Failure Quotes
~LeAura Alderson, cofounder-iCreateDaily®
2020 – a Most Challenging Year
This has been a challenging year for most of humanity on planet earth.
Please let that sink in for a moment.
MOST humans on this planet have struggled this year… many are still struggling.
In our struggle we are united.
In our struggle we are brothers and sisters.
And… in our struggles we can grow stronger, better and more resilient.
This is a wake up call for humanity, and we must each answer in our own way. But for all of us it means a stepping up and into our best selves and then helping those around us to do the same.
The Power of Visioning – Imagine…
IMAGINE… never having another negative thought about another human being.
IMAGINE… never having another negative thought about yourself!
IMAGINE… understanding that all evil is an absence of love, which leads to pain and suffering experienced and inflicted.
IMAGINE… sending love to those who’ve hurt us… love to that source of pain within them.
IMAGINE… seeing the foibles and flaws in each whom we encounter.
IMAGINE… instead of judging others, even those who hurt us, we understand and love them.
IMAGINE… our understanding bringing healing to them and to ourselves.
IMAGINE… it is possible. Because it is. One person, one effort at a time. It is proven.
IMAGINE… human kindess prevailing. Because it can.
What a beautiful world it would be. In fact, what a wonderful world it already is because there is already so much kindness, compassion, beauty, artistry, apiration and goodwill. Let’s focus on that and we’ll see more of it!
When Times Are Tough… We Shall Overcome
Together, we shall rise out of this. Someone giving a hand up to you, and you to the next, and so it goes.
For here’s a truth: we are all in this together… one humanity, one planet.
And I believe that the heart of humanity is sound.
Imagine a day filled with loving thoughts and actions, no matter what. It will make a difference, beginning with the difference it will make in your life.
SOURCE: Good and Evil
~LeAura Alderson, iCreateDaily.com®
Never underestimate the power of a positive attitude of gratitude and kindness to turn your life around. Gratitude is proven to make a positive difference.
If you’re suffering from fear and anxiety, this may help, and also these natural remedies for anxiety and panic attacks.
When the Going Gets Tough… You Know the Saying
You’ve heard the famous saying: “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” We all know what that quote means, and most likely all agree that it is true.
True, doesn’t necessarily mean real for you though. It’s only real for you if you apply it when it’s tough to… when things are hard.
Life on earth teaches us that things are supposed to be hard… and they’re supposed to be wonderful. That hard things make us stronger, more confident and resilient.
Life Grows Through Struggle
From the moment of birth, we arrive amidst ecstasy and agony. The cry of the newborn and the tears of the mother reveal this mysterious everyday miracle of life at work.
And so it goes, all the days of our lives. Our birth informs us that it’s not going to be easy, but it’s going to be wonderful, beautiful, full of love and laughter, tears and pain… and even miraculous.
Life is supposed to be beautiful and ugly, peaceful and tumultuous… loving and fierce. Consider the gentle grace and beauty of the leopard licking her cub and then hunting prey for dinner. Reflect on the majesty of thunderstorms and the horror of hurricanes.
Parents knows that the laughter and happy screams of children can often sound like crying out in pain.
The athletes face contorted in effort can appear the same as a face contorted in pain. Similarly, tears of joy can appear to be a face in pain.
Perhaps it’s no coincidence that the two are so closely aligned, for again, that is how it all starts for all of us. We’re all familiar with this quote:
“When the going gets tough, the tough get going.”
~Joseph P. Kennedy, John F. Kennedy’s father, 1888-1969
Life Grows Through Love
What makes the struggles bearable?
Love. When the going gets tough it is love that pulls us through, it is love that causes us to keep on going even when it’s unbearably hard.
It’s because of love that we suffer and because of love that we persevere.
It’s love that brought us here and love that sees us through. Our greatest pains and greatest joys come from those closest to us, for they matter most. And so it goes, and so we grow.
Put Purpose to Work
As you are creating the life you want to live, or the business you want to build, you will inevitably encounter roadblocks and challenges, struggles and setbacks. One of the best tools you can employ to help you when the going gets tough is the power of purpose.
For whatever goal you set, ask yourself: What is my purpose in doing this, and do I love it?
If you do not yet love it, but this thing is purposeful and/or helps you get closer to your purpose goal, then it’s still right on track.
Any goal imbued with purpose and love is powerful. That does’t mean it’s going to be easier. In fact, it may not be. For as with the childbirth analogy, often, the greatest things extract the greatest effort.
If you love what you’re doing and it’s connected to your purpose, sensed or realized, that focus on purpose will give you the staying power to keep on going, even when the going gets tough.
Set your course toward Purpose, and let Love steer.
~LeAura Alderson, cofounder-iCreateDaily.com®
When the Going Gets Tough
What do when hard times hit? We focus on what we CAN do… on possibilities and opportunities, not fear and negatives for it is detrimental and serves no purpose.
The most empowering thing we can be doing during hard times is to focus on what we can do, not on what we can’t. … on things that uplift and strengthen us. Cast your vision to your future self by writing down your aspirations.
Identify the actions that will get you to your first goal, then organize them into daily tasks. Setting goals and working them daily will help tremendously toward keeping you focused on making progress.
The most empowering thing we can be doing during hard times is to focus on what we can do, not on what we can’t.
~LeAura Alderson, cofounder-iCreateDaily.com®
Time to Focus on Your Goals
Now’s your time to a focus on the tasks and goals you’ve put off. It may be to clear out clutter, or renovate your bathroom. We’re doing both of these this month.
Perhaps it’s to take that course or learn a new skillor implement that daily creative practice that got shuffled into the background. It’s a great time to exercise and eat healthy and consume positive, uplifting articles, podcasts, YouTube interviews, etc.
Time to Create
Now is the time to do your art. When the going gets tough, creators create.
Okay, friend! Take care… vent, kick, scream, stomp, and cry if you need to. Take 5 minutes, or an hour. Set the timer, then get on with focusing on the positives, on gratitude and on what you can do!
When times are tough, focus on the good.
Comments from the Community
Suffering is a Signal
“It is difficult to think rationally and remind ourselves that suffering ebbs and flows with life. It provides a much-needed contrast to those joyous moments, allowing us to cherish the blessings we experience. We could never appreciate the good without the bad.
To me, suffering is a signal that we need to make a change to the path we are walking, our self-defined purpose or our current situation. Recognizing the truth of our suffering is ultimately the path to end our suffering; if we are not willing to recognize the cause, we will continue to suffer. Gratitude, even for the chance to know suffering, will heal the heart and clear the mind.“
~Joshua Roberson, fantasy fiction author
Gratitude, even for the chance to know suffering, will heal the heart and clear the mind.“
~Joshua Roberson, fantasy fiction author
Joel Compton contributed this perfectly poignant quote in the iCreateDaily for Creators Facebook group:
“When you come out of the storm, you won’t be the same person who walked in. That’s what the storm is all about. Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.”
~Haruki Murakami, Japanese author, b.Jan.12, 1949
Leveraging a Heavy Load
Benjamin Hardy wanted to be a professional writer but could never find his traction.
After adopting three wonderful foster children, however, he found all the motivation he could ever need. In this talk, Benjamin shares how he learned to turn difficult situations into profound meaning and progress.
Please give yourself 10 minutes to be uplifted and refreshed amidst any burdens in your day.
Yes, you will have to work hard. But… aren’t your dreams worth it?
~LeAura Alderson, iCreateDaily.com®
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Hello! I’m LeAura, owner and co-creator of iCreateDaily.com®. As an autodidactic philosopher, generalist, personal development advocate, entrepreneur, writer, editor, author, ideator, media publisher, and podcaster, I’m passionate about helping others achieve their best possible life! Our small family of entrepreneurs, writers, investors, educators and creators own and run websites around topics we enjoy, such as gardening, health and fitness, creativity and pets, with more to come.
While my greatest teacher is Life… my formal training includes certifications in mediation, fitness, and strategic intervention coaching, including marriage and family. Today, the synergy of creating websites, articles and podcasts, brings together all my favorite things: family, learning, growth, creating, connecting and contributing. To share these with you is a privilege, that serves my lifelong aspiration to help others.
My personal areas of creativity are in writing, masterminding, ideation, synthesis and bringing ideas to life through business and entrepreneurship, all with a pervasive spiritual foundation with a focus on elevating the lives of others.
Want to submit your photos, videos and/or article content for publication? We love to consider your contribution for publication! creators@icreatedaily.com