Life is not a bed of roses. I guess we all know that. The truth and reality of that statement are reflected in life's occurrences. Situations keep coming around, unwelcome, and things keep happening out of plans that could get one deeply thinking. Even considering whether the labour and toil in life are worth it. Such could be said to be the nature of this space we exist in.
While life is not a bed of roses, it sure could feel like one at some point. Times when all seems right and everything is working according to our plans. No hitches, no obstacles, no barriers, no obstructions, our needs are met, and even the wants. It would be hard at such times not to see life as worth living, and a bed made of roses to just lie on and enjoy the beauty and goodness of life.
The two situations will always be presented. Life is full of ups and downs. One minute it's a good ride, you're feeling on top of the world, and the next minute, it's a different story altogether. You could be hating the life you once so much enjoyed. This suggests the need to learn how to navigate through and survive the ups and downs of life.
It's one of the most handy tools to have in one's toolbox in the journey of life. Navigating through these situations is an ability to imbibe. I've been at some “downs” in life. And yes, like everyone it wasn't a pleasant experience. Sometimes, the thought about such times leaves me reminiscing about how I prevailed. One thing for certain, I always thank God.
One of such times was while in school. Studies started in the higher institution on a good note for me. All was going well and smoothly. Here at one point, life was coming hard and raging at me. Foodstuffs were short, no funds were available, and help seemed to be limited. To make things worse, there were works to be printed and materials to buy for presentation constantly. It was an unpleasant period.
How I navigated through such times, I can't really tell. I know of times though that a friend or relative stepped in. Things turning from bad to good, I've had those times too. They remain in remembrance for how important they are. This one involved one of my struggles with phones. I was doing less or nothing really meaningful when I held my phone because it wasn't having the capacity to serve me.
On one of those days, a close family friend came through. It wasn't a new phone, but it helped me start something meaningful with my phone whenever I handled it. The opportunity to do what I had wanted all along became possible, and even more than what I had in mind. It could seem a small matter, but the weight of the desire that the act answered was great. That helped build me into some of the things I do today, even being on this platform has a rub from it.
Situations will always come, and life will always be challenging. How we navigate through the ups and downs, highs and lows is what matters. For me, I've learned to stand strong, uncompromising and trust in the help of God in those “downs and lows.” In the moments of the “ups and highs”, I learned to be wise in maximising them, because the other side could come roaring.
Images are mine.