Sometimes, life isn’t fair.
Okay, maybe life isn’t fair most of the time. Unfortunately, sometimes people lie and mislead for their own gain and other times misunderstandings happen despite best intentions. It hurts. Sometimes it’s outright wrong and other times it’s just not fair but …
You may not get picked despite having all the qualifications.
Someone may tell you a lie, steal from you or cheat you out of what is rightfully yours.
You may get let down by someone you trust.
Someone may talk about you behind your back.
Sometimes, you may get hurt for no apparent reason at all.
These hurts add up and if we’re not careful, they can distract us from our goals or even encourage us to allow bitterness to seep into our hearts.
Optimism in Business and Life
I’m an optimist and I usually believe the best about people. I’ve been burned before of course and have developed a cautious skepticism at times because of this. However, I’m happiest when I can trust that no matter the outcome, I choose to believe the best about people until proven otherwise. Have people taken advantage of this? Unfortunately, yes.
Has being taken advantage of made me bitter or altered my integrity? Thankfully no, but that is due in great part to choosing what’s right and moving on despite my feelings at a given time.
Integrity + Resilience
So, what’s to be done? Well, we can’t control the actions, integrity or intentions of others. For better or worse, we can only control our own responses, choices and outlook on life. We can choose to be honest, value others, trust, hope and invest in a lifestyle of integrity. It takes work. It also takes resilience because disappointments come and they can be really discouraging.
Perspective, Happiness and the Power to Choose
The truth is, no matter how much someone has hurt you in life or business and despite the disappointment or hurt you may feel, you’re going to be alright. Actually, you’ve got the potential to be more than alright because you are in control despite how you may feel. You and I are not victims. We have a choice and the ability to choose perspective and happiness.
The ability to choose happiness, forgiveness, faith, hope and love shouldn’t be taken for granted. Each of these heart and mind postures can overcome hurt, fear, doubt, betrayal and anger.
When you get hurt — and yes, you will get hurt — do not lose sight of your power to choose. Don’t allows someone’s poor choices to distract from your ability to choose what is right and walk in integrity.
So, the next time you get let down or you feel hurt, remember that you are not a victim and you can choose to maintain your heart and mind posture while acknowledging the hurt you feel.
We are in control and have the power to choose … even when people let us down.
