Life is full of unexpected twists and turns. Multiple times we will be rejected, turned away, or not able to do something we really wanted to do. I hope everything goes right in all of your lives, but, for the times when it does not, I want you to know I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. If one opportunity ends, another one is right around the corner.
To give some examples, say you were rejected from your dream school, your boyfriend broke up with you, and you shattered your brand new phone. All of these seemingly devastating situations can create new opportunities. It may not feel like it at the moment, and it will take some perseverance, but you will find that all of the “bad” things that happened to you happened so you could learn and do better. Continuing on with the examples, you later attended a college where you had the best four years of your life, you met your future husband, and you realized that face to face interactions are ten million times better than communicating through text messages. Unfortunate events happen, but how you deal with them is up to you. At the moment, I am dealing with a setback of my own. Due to a temporary medical issue I have not been able to do high intensity exercise, including two of my favorite hobbies - running and playing soccer. I am entering my seventh month with this limitation and craving the day I will be able to get back on my game. It has been difficult missing soccer practice while my team is training and knowing that the great endurance and speed I built up over many years of work has been decreasing. Also, sweating and getting my heart rate up makes me feel strong and happy. I knew I couldn’t do this if I wanted to be healthy. I was faced with two options. How to handle this situation? I could spend my extra time watching YouTube videos and being disappointed, or I could try something new. Don’t get me wrong, I am still very disappointed about this setback, but I decided to make the most out of it. I replaced running with daily walks. These walks have given me the opportunity to talk to old friends on the phone and discover new podcasts. I wouldn’t have been able to do either of these things with my traditional running routine. Walking wasn’t enough for me though. I really missed soccer, but I couldn’t play. So, I became a coach! I am now an assistant coach for a girls soccer team in my area. It has been a great opportunity to look at soccer in a different way than what I have known all my life as a player. I am planning practices and giving the girls tips. It is empowering and rewarding to mentor younger girls who love the sport that I love. Even when I am able to play soccer again, I will continue coaching because it is a new way of leading that I hope to carry on even when I am an adult. Lastly, with more time to think and less time running and practicing (mixed with the additional time quarantine has given me) I was able to start working on my blog! I can replace the time I spent at soccer practices by writing more content, developing this creative platform, and connecting with my readers. My blog is something I cherish and I am thrilled to have finally made this idea reality after thinking about it for several years. So, that is my current setback, my seemingly devastating situation. Once my medical issues are resolved, I will be ecstatic to get back into soccer and running. For now, I have found new hobbies that will continue for a long time, and I have a new strength. I know that when the next challenging situation is thrown at me, I will be able to turn it into something positive. What setbacks are you dealing with right now? No matter how big or small they seem, I know you can find the light at the end of the tunnel. I know when it seems a door was slammed in your face, there is another one just waiting to be opened.
2 Comments
Marge Stern
8/5/2020 07:40:06 pm
What great advice!! It was told to me many times but until it happens to you it is hard to be a believer.
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Lena
8/6/2020 12:03:49 pm
Such a great message! Another great post!
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AuthorLover of adventures, traveling, family time, fashion, soccer, writing, and more, Madeleine is giving you all the real and relatable content you have been looking for. Archives
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