When Life Hands You Lemons
Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.
People are faced with challenges, setbacks and disappointments every day. These adversities can come from a variety of sources. For example, thousands of children every year are subjected to physical, emotional or sexual abuse. Others are born with birth defects and some have learning disabilities because they were exposed to drugs and alcohol before they were born. There are those who are faced with sudden and catastrophic illnesses or accidents. These are just a few of the problems people face within our society. Even if you never have experienced these major upheavals, you will certainly be disappointed in one way or another from time to time. Even the daily grind can wear you down unless you are constantly keeping a positive outlook on life.
When things go wrong, as they sometimes will, you have a choice in the way you handle them. You can become overwhelmed and give up. This leads to a negative attitude, depression and feelings of helplessness. Or you can accept that the problem exists, and look at it in perspective. Looking at a problem in perspective means to be realistic about the problem in relation to the rest of your life. Have you ever met someone who acted as if every disappointment was the end of the world? He becomes so absorbed in his problems that he forgets that life goes on. Where there is life and determination to do the right thing, there is hope.
Using the positive character trait of optimism, which is the ability to look on the bright side of any situation, as well as determination and courage, will enable you to rise above and move beyond any hardships or difficulties you may face. When you deal with the disappointments that life sometimes hands you in a positive manner and learn from them, you can build and strengthen your moral character. Accept responsibility for making a difference in your life and the lives of others. With determination, along with the information you can learn in The Peaceful Solution Character Education Program, you can find a way to take the lemons life hands you and make lemonade. Do not allow life’s challenges to get you down or cause you to lose hope, instead let them motivate you to succeed in reaching your full moral potential.
Source: The Peaceful Solution Character Education Program