“In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity.” 

Last summer, during one of my marathon training runs, I fell! I tripped over my own feet and fell forward, yelling, “oh shit”, as I hit the ground. After quickly assessing the situation and ensuring that no one saw my fall, I picked myself up and saw blood dripping from my knee. As I wiped the blood, I felt a sharp pain in my wrist.

I’m stubborn and refused to stop and decided to push through the pain, completing another 5 miles before finally stopping. It was then that I took a closer look at my hand and realized that it was starting to bruise and swell—my worst fears were about to be confirmed, my wrist was broken.

Living alone, I was struck with a sudden and unexpected setback when I found out that I would be in a cast for the next 8 weeks without any help. The initial shock and fear of this situation quickly gave way to frustration and despair as I struggled to come to terms with my new reality for the next few months. Simple tasks that I had taken for granted, like clasping my bra or tying my shoes, suddenly seemed impossible.

For weeks, I struggled to find a way forward, feeling trapped and alone in my situation. But as time passed, I slowly began to see the silver lining in this difficult situation. I was forced to slow down and take stock of my life, learning valuable lessons about patience and perseverance in the face of adversity.

Despite the challenges, I discovered new ways of doing things that I never would have considered before. From holding jars between my legs to open them, to utilizing my computer’s talk-to-text feature, I found creative solutions to the everyday challenges I faced. And through it all, I never lost sight of my love for running, finding a way to continue my beloved pastime even with my clunky cast!

Life can be unpredictable, and we all have our fair share of ups and downs. Sometimes things don’t go as planned, and we experience setbacks that can feel devastating at the time. Whether it’s getting fired from a job, going through a divorce, or dealing with the death of a loved one, it can be hard to see the silver lining in these tough situations. However, it’s important to remember that everything that happens to us leads us to where we are today.

First and foremost, it’s important to acknowledge your feelings and allow yourself to feel sadness or grief. It’s natural to feel hurt, angry, or upset when faced with difficult situations. But as time passes, it’s important to shift your perspective and try to see the situation in a different light. Sometimes we get so caught up in the immediate pain of a situation that we don’t see the bigger picture.

For example, getting fired from a job can feel like the end of the world at first. You may feel like you’ve failed or that you’re not good enough. However, this setback can also be an opportunity for growth and reflection. Perhaps this is a sign that it’s time to pursue a new career path or start your own business. Maybe you’ll meet new people or learn new skills that you wouldn’t have otherwise.

Similarly, going through a divorce can be incredibly painful, but it can also be a chance to rediscover who you are and what you want in life. You may realize that you were not happy in your previous relationship and that this is an opportunity to find someone who truly makes you happy. You will also become stronger and more independent as you navigate life on your own.

Of course, not every situation has a clear upside. Losing a loved one, for example, can be one of the most difficult experiences we go through in life. But even in these situations, we can learn important lessons and find ways to honor their memory. We may realize the importance of cherishing the time we have with our loved ones or decide to make positive changes in our lives in honor of their legacy.

“Every cloud has a silver lining”

In the end, what started as a source of fear and frustration when I broke my wrist became an opportunity for growth and self-discovery. I learned how strong I was (I even did a 20 miles backpacking trip with my cast on) the power of resilience and the importance of finding silver lining even in a dark situation. And for that, I will forever be grateful.

Ultimately, everything that happens to us shapes us in some way. The challenges we face can make us more resilient, empathetic, and compassionate. They can also lead us to new opportunities and help us discover our true passions in life.

While it’s important to allow ourselves to feel sadness and grief, it’s also important to remember that these experiences can ultimately lead us to a better place.

So, the next time you face a setback or a difficult situation, try to keep an open mind and remember that everything (good AND bad) that happens to you can leads you to where you are today.

Remember, YOU GOT THIS!

XOXO

Schedule a FREE 30-minute clarity call with me below:

ONE ON ONE COACHING – Good Things Are Gonna Come  

Buy Jasmine’s book HERE