When I was younger, my parents used to say that difficulties, both big and small need to be conquered. We should learn to adjust with whatever hardship come our way. "Hardships are a test of character. Kayo din ang mahihirapan kung hindi kayo marunong humarap sa paghihirap!" I would often hear my father tell us.
During our early days in school, we were taught the same philosopies. It goes somewhere in the line of learning how to sacrifice, hardwork, and being strong in the face of trials.
As time went by, and I grew older, I turned to self-help books for advice and guidance. What stuck in my mind (and became my ideology) was that advice that tells that one simply has to ride the rollercoaster of life. Sometimes you're up, down, or running round and round.
In short, you need to learn to live with it.
But then, in the course of living, I have learned that not all battles are worth withstanding. There are times when you need to think if things are worth fighting for, and if giving it up would mean a sign of weakness.
And for these, I have learned this thought: you need to choose your own battles.
It;s not ok to feel like a martyr just letting all those troubles hit you in the face. It doesn't make you a great person.Being such, you're the one who'll just end up devastated and ugly.
Admit that there are times when you need to give up, since you just might be looking at the wrong direction. what's at your back may offer something better.
This doesn't mean you're taking the unlikely road. It may mean that there is something better.
Just this year, I was caught in a crossroad. I have questioned myself: "what is the path I'd like to take? Am I really doing the right thing?" Questions almost crushed my ground and center.
Then I decided to give something up. Doing so, I questioned myself more. "Was I that weak? Did I easily give in to my emotions. Have I crushed my family's expectations of me."
I decided to move on. I decided to go with the flow, and doing so, I found joy and peace in the things I were doing on that time. They range from simple pet projects, to household chores, to catching up with what I most love doing.
And then, an opportunity came along, and it was an opportunity that made me more content and at peace. I began to worry less, breathing became easy, and I began to enjoy each moment.
I have discovered the truth to that adage. It also meant that as i let go, I followed my heart, trusted my instincts.:)
