Finding meaning in challenging times like these can be difficult. Fear, worry, and hopelessness are common reactions. There are tragedies and nothing but bad news in the mainstream media every day. People faced lockdowns and job losses during the “pandemic”. The economy is in a mess. There are shortages in the stores. On top of that, our personal lives can bring challenges and seemingly negative experiences too.
Every person responds to these situations differently. Some find comfort in religion and spirituality; others turn to meditation or therapy. And others, unfortunately, adopt unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as emotional eating, drinking, or drugs to manage their grief, anguish, and sadness.
However, looking at hard times in a different light can help in adopting more positive attitudes and, often, create outcomes that you doubted were possible.
One good way to reinterpret hardships is to find meaning in them. I always say, there’s a gift in everything if you look for it. It may not be obvious at the time, but the answer will come to you if you ask for it. Just make sure you’re open to receiving intuitive messages. If you feel you’re not in touch with your intuition, here’s How To Develop Your Intuition For Personal Empowerment.
How do you find meaning?
Before you start, remember to apply The Power of Neutrality. This allows you to step back and consciously respond to situations rather than give a knee-jerk reaction to them. Before you go any further, watch the short video in this link so you understand how the power of neutrality can transform the way you respond to EVERYTHING that happens in your life.
In the face of what appears to be a negative event, sit back and ask yourself what is the real meaning of this. Everything happens for a reason and it is always for your highest good, even though at the time it may seem the opposite, so there’s a positive message in there somewhere.
For example, let’s say you were fired from your job, a distressing situation that can leave you feeling afraid, angry, and ashamed. Especially if you have a family, debt, or live in an uncertain economy where your opportunities to find a new job are slim.
Ask yourself questions such as:
- Did I really like that job? In many cases, we’re stuck in a job that is no longer fulfilling, but we are too scared to quit.
- Is this situation freeing my time for better opportunities? A job you no longer enjoyed could have been a roadblock in your professional development.
- What did I learn from that experience? The skills you learned at that job can be a jumping board to find better opportunities.
- What went wrong? In this case, be honest with yourself — why were you fired? Address the causes non-judgmentally.
- Are there any areas for growth? Regardless of what caused the negative situation, think of how you can use the experience for your self-development.
By asking yourself these questions, you don’t only give meaning to a negative situation, you’re also taking back control of it. And you take control of it by reframing negative situations as opportunities to grow and thrive in unexplored areas.
For example, a lost job is an opportunity for new enterprises — a new business, a trip, time off to spend with family and friends, continued education, and more.
It is healthy to grieve and to have a bad day. But it’s also important to take responsibility for every stage of your life and take a proactive approach to every situation. Only then, can we find meaning in our lives and minimize uncertainty.
Other ways to find meaning in difficult times.
When hardships come, it’s easy to overthink the situation. However, focusing at least part of your time on giving to others helps to put life in perspective.
When you give your time and energy to help others, you create a connection with them. Life is no longer something that happens to you, you are in the driving seat of creating the life you want. You develop a network of contacts, from which you can all benefit in mutual give and take.
Finally, difficulties are part of life. Trying to avoid them is not only useless, but it also prevents you from focusing your energy on purposeful, creative work that makes a positive contribution. Challenges are the catalysts for our personal development and it is the only way to grow. Being comfortable with the status quo takes us nowhere, instead, we stagnate. Therefore, if difficulties cannot be avoided, you should face them with patience and compassion for yourself and others.
Every situation leaves a mark on you. That means something. It means you’re growing, building your own path of self-acceptance and compassion. You have the power to take control of your life by reflecting non-judgmentally, accepting each situation as an opportunity, and working with and for others.
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