Life’s struggles are not meant to take one down or bury them alive in despair and hardships. They are meant to challenge a person to become stronger, better version of themselves. Toughened people have been likened to a diamond—there are a lot of process and pressure before a shining one is achieved.
Acceptance
The first step, they say, is the most difficult. As it is with any tragedy, acceptance is difficult to do. That is why it is the last process in the stages of grief. But when turning the suffering into one’s strength, acceptance is the first step. Accepting the tragedy has happened and that one has survived it—scarred but whole—is one layer of strength added to the person. They are never the same after a difficult circumstance.
Trusting the process
Just when one thinks that the worst is over, there will be moments that will make them go back to the start. Every now and then there will be triggers that would remind one anew of the pain, fear, and all the negative feelings one had worked so hard to overcome. This is certainly not to push one “underwater” further but to strengthen one’s emotions that things will be easier to look at in time.
Hanging in there
One will learn that as long as there is life, there will be challenges. And the challenges could be tough—tougher even than the previous ones. But reminding one’s self that they have gone through other difficult times would help to encourage that the next challenges, too, shall simply pass. Perhaps not without damage, but they will pass.
Taking a breather
And when the storm has passed, it is always all right to relax—to celebrate even. No need to worry about the next struggle. Perhaps there would not be any in quite a while. Life can be a little considerate at times. One should take advantage of the “calm” days. It is best to use the time to boost one’s spiritual and emotional strength through prayers and/or meditation.