Life's Rollercoaster

“To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: . . . a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-4).

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​Life can be a real rollercoaster. Sometimes you’re at the very top about to rush into exciting and invigorating adventures, other times feel like you’re about to crash straight into the ground, and then there are the periods where you’re going loop after loop with no clue what’s going on around you. Yes, it’s cliche, but I think it’s something everyone can relate to at different points in their life.

​The past year has brought some of the greatest moments of my life so far:

Graduate from college? ✔
Spend time traveling in the US and abroad? ✔
Find a fulfilling job in my dream industry? ✔

But alas, with the highs come the lows:

Watch most of my friends move away? ✔
Struggle with “adulting”, bills, and multiple jobs? ✔
Not get to visit family and home as often? ✔

If you’re anything like me, it’s often easier to spend time focusing on those low points instead of the highs. It’s hard to celebrate accomplishments or be grateful for all the good, when there’s change, stress, or struggles on the ride with you too! Sometimes it takes a little reminder that we can’t control the track--that’s in someone else’s hands--but we can learn to “maximize the best moments” while “minimizing the bad ones.” Check out these five tips for doing so from Lead Life Well!

1. Expect Ups and Downs. Knowing that highs and lows are “normal” softens the lows and makes you more mindful that highs are temporary.
2. Be Grateful. The ups and downs of life are a gift. The highs and lows of life provide opportunities to grow, stretch, and develop into the person you need to be in order to walk more boldly in the purpose God has in mind for you.
3. Lean into Your Feelings. Notice and validate your feelings. They are how you feel. Then step back and take a cold hard look at what’s transpiring. Investigate: are your feelings telling you the truth or has your imagination gotten a bit out of control?
4. Resist the Urge to Blame Others. In order for genuine growth to take place, you have to take responsibility. How have you contributed to your unfortunate moments? What can you do differently? What have you learned? Keep in mind that sometimes there really is no one to blame. Your fridge will break and things will get cancelled. It’s just part of life.

Resist the Desire to Take Credit. While no doubt your strengths and hard work have contributed, anything you are able to accomplish is because God has allowed you to. The more you take credit for your accomplishments the less you will depend on Him. If you are going to handle the wild ups and downs of life effectively, you will need God’s help!
(Source for tips: http://leadlifewell.com/blog/5-tips-help-survive-ups-downs-life/)

From a Former Resident Supervisor.