posted March 19, 2014 04:03 PM            

I've been down many, many times. I know the trick is to get up and try again. But how do you keep believing?.. How do you keep having faith in your dream?

posted March 19, 2014 05:27 PM            

I too had a very difficult childhood, I really never talk about it much. There is truly so much beauty in this life that we sometimes completely neglect.

Try to take stock in your surroundings and count your blessings.

Sometimes that joy will open and fill your heart, when other things have failed.

I understand.

posted March 19, 2014 05:49 PM            

Counting one's blessings also works. Or as one person roughly put it, people need to see how far they've come rather than on how much farther they have to go.

Prepping for emergencies can help. Some people take that to an extreme, but I much prefer those who prepare for the zombie apocalypse to those who never do anything and then demand others take care of them over what is more of an inconvenience rather than emergency to the more responsible. And prepping can help one feel more secure about the future, it does me (but then I see it as "just in case" rather than a certainty I'll need it). That means less stress hormones that can cause depression and despair.

Sauna and physical exercise helps me, as does certain mental exercises and meditations.

And also remember that getting back up after falling can be the most inspiring thing. One doesn't succeed off the bat (at least not on their own efforts). I've said before I've found skateboarding character building because when Granny got me one I was determined to be good at it (she went to a lot of effort and expense to get it after all), but I kept falling over & over, sometimes even just standing still on it was a challenge. As I got a little better I still fell off a lot (went through plenty of band aids) and sometimes fell into a ditch with bull nettles, and once with yellow jackets stinging me. And yet I focused on how I was improving, and after several months on poor farm roads I went back to Houston where the smooth pavement was easy in comparison and even boys who'd skated for years were impressed with me (and they began teaching me actual tricks which I was able to pick up quickly since I'd basically made my skateboard an extension of myself). I didn't take pride in being good, I took pride in BECOMING good, and that stuck with me so as I metaphorically fell (failed) A LOT at life I kept "getting back up" and eventually found my niche rather than giving in to despair, and that also built character/resolve. That doesn't mean being completely stubborn, more than once I made a radical change when I saw what I was doing wasn't working and focused on the ends rather than the chosen means, and I also would break it into steps if necessary so I didn't get frustrated that something didn't "instantly happen."

Still, about everyone is plagued by fears and doubts, I'm surprised by how many think they're the only ones so bothered. Btw, too much happiness (mania) cab be as dangerous as too much depression. We weren't meant to be happy (as in smiling, not to be confused with content) all the time. And when I get depressed or whatever I comfort myself knowing it's just a moment that will pass.

posted March 19, 2014 10:35 PM            

If I were you I would put myself completely out of my element and thrive in the confidence that comes with overcoming a challenge.

Personally, I catapulted myself into the world and spent some months living in completely different countries and environments... Macheteing myself through the deep jungle and living in a swamp and whatnot. I haven't questioned myself since (though to be honest I didn't do much of it before that either, but it definitely gave me a major boost). Other people I've spoken to who have done the same kind of thing have experienced the same thing. It's been four years now and I haven't felt discouraged since. You don't have to go as extreme obviously, but you could run a marathon or climb a mountain or jump in a parachute or whatever.

posted March 20, 2014 10:01 AM            

Anyway, this is the quote of my life. Beneath that fake persona, Stallone is a genius.

Rocky Balboa: Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place, and I don’t care how tough you are, it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard you hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward; how much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done! Now, if you know what you’re worth, then go out and get what you’re worth. But you gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers saying you ain’t where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody. Cowards do that and that ain’t you. You’re better than that!

posted March 20, 2014 12:49 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by YoursTrulyAlways:
I know it's a corn-ball set movies, and nothing like the Pursuit of Happyness, which happens to be one of my favorite movie of all times.

Anyway, this is the quote of my life. Beneath that fake persona, Stallone is a genius.

[b]Rocky Balboa: Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place, and I don’t care how tough you are, it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard you hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward; how much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done! Now, if you know what you’re worth, then go out and get what you’re worth. But you gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers saying you ain’t where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody. Cowards do that and that ain’t you. You’re better than that!

YO ADRIAN! [/B]

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Happy Spring.
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