Time flies, this is blog number eight for 2024 so it looks like I am doing well at succeeding on my crusade of a blog a month this year. August is heading to its end, just over a week left for me to get the blog published. As usual, no pressure on me, however my inspiration seems to be reliable when it comes to writing, being creative and ensuring deadlines are met. A few weeks ago, while I was working on my July blog, summer was nothing but absent. Unfortunately, not much has changed, except for autumn deepening its roots: plenty of dull, wet and cold evenings this week thanks to the remnants of hurricane Ernesto, storm Lilian and plenty of bad weather warnings. Heavy showers at the moment. August is definitely heading to its end as I only have three days left. Fleece on, hot cupán tae, candle flickering away, blanket over my knees, woolly hat may be needed soon. Let’s get the bouncing going!
If things go wrong, stand back and simply bounce back. If your expectations are not met, acknowledge this and simply bounce back. If the worst happens, breathe and simply bounce back. If you fail, learn and simply bounce back. And, if life sucks, have a cupán tae and simply bounce back. That is easier said than done though!
Bouncing back is my best way out when it comes to disappointments, tough times and failures. Over the years, I have developed the ability to rebound when ordeals have gifted me with their undesired presence. At the beginning, overcoming these situations was extremely difficult; it looked like an impossible mission to me. I only wanted to feel sorry for myself, to hide my head under the covers, to embrace the unlucky me approach. It seemed easier to just give in and blame the whole universe for cursing me with such an unfair, undeserved and unwanted outcome. Desolation was so overwhelming that I could only manage to survive. Exasperation was so intense that I could only manage to exist. Slowly, I started to gravitate towards a more proactive attitude pushed by a survival necessity. Eventually, those days of self-pity and uncontrolled tears became part of a faraway dimension. Surprisingly, I had transformed myself into a sort of a ninja warrior, although my swords were just my persisting instincts, my insatiable desire to live, my strong determination to succeed, my stubborn self-judgement of not letting myself down, my eagerness to make my dreams come true.
If things do not go according to plan, plan again and simply bounce back. If adversities pull you down, stay strong and simply bounce back. If better days seem out of reach, think positive and simply bounce back. If a stumbling block ruins your prospects, throw some dynamite at it and simply bounce back. And, if life sucks, have an ice cream and simply bounce back. That is easier said than done though!
Bouncing back is my best way out when it comes to disillusions, challenging times and unsuccessful attempts. After discovering that self-mercy was not working for me, and was, probably, dragging me further down the well of lamentations; after realising that crying a river was only blinding me from embracing other opportunities, and was, surely, curtailing my chances of succeeding; after accepting that surrendering was a bad influence, and was, obviously, stopping me from moving forward: I decided that the best for me was to master the ability to bounce back. I knew that it would empower me to be brave and challenge myself to try harder despite my trials and tribulations. What a journey of hardships and struggles, lessons learned, miles swam against the stream, internal battles with those gremlins of mine, and plenty of tissues to dry tears of desperation. However, I made it through to the other side. As usual, well worth it! I am now a well-trained ninja warrior who has develop the ability (or shall I call it superpower?) of snapping back like a spring.
If things seem impossible to change, look at them from a different angle and simply bounce back. If it feels like you are going nowhere, get yourself a map and simply bounce back. If the fog has become too thick for you to see some light, shine brighter and simply bounce back. If you are stuck in a vicious circle, pause for a while and simply bounce back. And, if life sucks, have some chocolate and simply bounce back. That is easier said than done though!
Bouncing back is my best way out when it comes to frustrations, difficult times and unexpected defeats. I could say it is somehow addictive; I cannot help it but bounce back whenever life tries to shorten my wings. This self-defence mechanism is also a great tool to overcome all sorts of adversities in life. Far are those days of feeling sorry for myself. Far are those days of crying a river over deceptions. Far are those days of feeling defeated. I can proudly say that when it comes to rising above unsuccessful outcomes, I have endured a Batchelor’s Degree in resilience, a Master’s Degree in determination, and a PhD in ninja warrior superpowers. I am graduated “honour summa cum laude” in bouncing back.
And the one million dollar question is: how do I bounce back? After a few tears and a bit of complaining, I definitely try to avoid going down the rabbit hole of failure. Firstly, I try to give space and time so I can reflect on what has happened. Secondly, I talk to some trusted people, my partner, a friend, a family member; however, sometimes it is just a random stranger I meet at the queue of the supermarket, my hairdresser, or the shop assistant. I listen to their approaches, pieces of advice and suggestions so I can be excited to embark on a new journey. Thirdly, I cook up my new plan by writing down a “to do list” so I can succeed. Once my list is in place, there I go again on new challenges along unknown paths.
I know they say that when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. However, I would say that when life sets you back, bounce back!
Jay Cee Moon ©
Jaycee Moon 