12 pieces of hope when life becomes difficult and dark

It ain’t always sunshine, lollipops, and rainbows. Life can become difficult and dark. Many say there’s no “can” about it. Are you struggling right now? How ‘bout 12 pieces of hope.

With some 50 years of difficulty and darkness backing it, try this on for size…

If we don’t accept life’s inherent difficulty and darkness, we’ll never have a shot at peace of mind and personal growth.

Depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, no diagnosis – doesn’t matter, it applies to everyone.

Of course, acceptance is one thing, taking action is another.

”If-“ by Rudyard Kipling

Let’s kick things off with the second verse of English poet Rudyard Kipling’s “If-,” written in 1895.

Couple of interesting notes going in. Kipling wrote the poem in the form of paternal advice to his son. It’s been cherished around the world since it was published. And it’s said that Muhammad Ali carried the poem in his wallet.

See how you feel about it…

If you can dream – and not make dreams your master;
If you can think – and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools

Gut reaction? And that’s just one of four verses.

12 pieces of hope when life becomes difficult

So we’ve established that life can become difficult and dark. Maybe that’s the way it is for you right now. From my experience, those pieces of hope…

1. Take comfort in constants. We may feel dark and cold, but the rest of the world hasn’t changed.
2. The day after the very worst of days often brings surprisingly positive developments.
3. The difficulty and darkness factors of life are permanent – only if we turn away acceptance and action.
4. Hope is like the sun on a cloudy day. We may not see it, but it’s there.
5. Answers exist, though they’re not always immediate and clear.
6. Knee-jerk running for emotional and mental cover doesn’t work.
7. It’s never over until we say it’s over.
8. We can’t underestimate the power of reason in changing how we think – feel and behave.
9. Living in yesterday eliminates tomorrows.
10. Something marvelous was about to occur, until we threw in the towel.
11. Rumination is ruination.
12. Anybody can cruise through the good times. Give me someone who’s fought for their sanity, survival, and peace of mind.

I’ll bet each of us can come up with more.

Keep our chins up

It ain’t all sunshine, lollipops, and rainbows. I’ve come to expect it. And when life gets difficult and dark, acceptance and action are all that matter.

Those pieces of hope? A little something to keep our chins up.

Take a moment to read “If-“ in its entirety.

More Chipur mood and anxiety info and inspiration articles? Here ya’ go.