No Rain, No Flowers: Learning How to Shift Your Perspective in Tough Situations

First things first, *PAUSE* how is everyone doing?

Like foreal, how are you doing? Personally, I am doing okay especially due to some major changes that have happened in my life cause of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, BUT I know I am going to be fine because God is in control.

Please, feel free to drop how you’re feeling in the comments below! I know things are not looking too good at the moment, but I believe how we get through this is based on us learning how to shift our focus (perspective) in tough situations. In the midst of tough situations, we have to shift our perspective from thinking and looking at things negatively to finding something positive to focus on such as our faith.

Things Not Looking Too Good

With all that is going on, I think it is easy to focus on all the negative effects of the virus and allow it to take a mental toll on you. As I scroll down Instagram and watch the news updates, the media has done a good job with continuously instilling fear and hopelessness in people. All I have been constantly hearing about is more individuals testing positive for the virus due to travel especially travel by cruises, the cancellation of so many events including school, faith-related services, march madness tourney, and other spring sports due to the risk of the coronavirus continuing to spread. Also, the term “social distancing” has been used so many times. I ain’t never heard that terminology more than the amount of times I have heard it said in the last two weeks.

These recent weeks have been filled with so much fear, worry, and uncertainty for so many people especially as many businesses have closed and others limit their hours. On top of that, some states have been put on lockdown and many people are under quarantine. So many people are now unemployed and are not sure how they will make ends meet. With all that being said, it is important to not allow our current situation to influence our perspective.

Stay Positive

YOU WERE BUILT FOR A TIME SUCH AS NOW. Let’s do our best not to allow this situation we have no control over to mess with our peace, positive energy, or goals for 2020. We have to train our minds to see the good in every situation. One way I think about it is with one of my favorite quotes,  “No Rain, No Flowers.” Without going through the rainy days and storms of life, we would not experience the beauty of growing pains. We/ Flowers need to experience uncertain situations/ rain, so we can truly blossom. I got it tatted, so you know it’s real. A real great reminder that there’s beauty in the struggle.

Shift Your Focus (Perspective)

Think about it this way. What if this situation was the perfect opportunity to do something that your future self will thank you for? Or what if this was intended to be a wake-up call for us to slow down, take care of ourselves and each other, and spend some time truly talking to God without all the regular distractions and noise of day-to-day life? Just think about it.

Look on the Bright Side

Now is really the time to remain positive, not complain, and to keep BIG THANK YOU energy. As, I wrote my 2020 bucket list post earlier this year, I had a moment to really reflect and think about all the things I am thankful for. I thought about my family, opportunities, health, and places that I have already traveled as I wrote my bucket list. It can be so easy to wanna keep pushing on to the next thing that you forget to really slow down and thank God for all the things He has done for you thus far. This is the PERFECT time to really think about all you’re thankful for and actually WRITE it down.

Sometimes, seeing how long the list of things you have to be thankful for, really shows you that things aren’t as bad as they may seem. Taking some time to show gratitude really puts some things into perspective. It allows us to look at the bigger picture.

At the very least, the fact that we are still alive is another opportunity for growth and happiness. Write your list knowing that this too shall pass. Utilize this time to really make some moves that you may have been too distracted to make or just putting off before. We are going to be okay, and we will come out stronger than before. We may bend, but we won’t break.

Check out these other posts as we take this time of uncertainty one day at a time:

• New Year Goals: 4 Gems for Creating a New Year Bucket List
• Even If: Learning to Trust God’s Plan
• More than a Face Mask and Exercise: 6 Self-Care Practices for the Mind
• Protecting Your Energy: 5 Tips for Setting Boundaries in Relationships

Again, feel free to be real about how you feel in the comments below and even respond to someone else’s comment. Right now, we all need to be there for each other more than ever.

Remember, self-care is a necessity not a luxury.

Let’s Connect! Follow me on Instagram: @eka.ila