It’s easy to get caught up in all the negatives that happen in life. Things don’t go your way, you fall ill, you lose people or your job, you feel sick, there are just so many things that can bring us down, but this is just part of life.

The minute we stop expecting life to be a fairytale and accept reality, that’s the moment we open ourselves up to the truth and the freedom that comes with it. It’s hard to expect perfection at all times. It’s hard on ourselves and on those around us. Nobody can live up to that expectation. Life doesn’t work that way.

There is no normal or perfect apart from God, there is just life and it is filled with good and bad, daily. It’s a constant flow, like your laundry and dishes… You fix it once, but soon there will be more. It’s a part of life, why do people act shocked and surprised that they have to deal with it over and over again. Accept it, embrace it and experience the freedom it brings to no longer go through life in those chains of, worry, disappointment and resentment.

Life isn’t a flat line, it’s not linear, it’s a messy, twisting and turning roller-coaster ride.

Some parts are fun, others are terrifying, sometimes you’re heading forward and then there’s a sharp turn and you feel like you’re going the wrong way and everything is upside down. But it’s all part of the ride, you’re still going towards the same general direction, it’s just not ever going to be a boring, predictable straight line.

Focus your gaze on the good things each day brings. Focus on being grateful for all the small things people so often overlook.

The positive words, the beautiful view, the comfort and protection of your home, the smells, sounds and colours around you. The people God has brought into your life whether in person or online.

You are not alone in your struggles, but focusing on your struggles can make you feel very lonely. Take your eyes off yourself and your hurt, give yourself a break, focus on the good stuff. It’s not going to make the struggles go away, but it will certainly make your experience of life more enjoyable and rewarding.

Here’s a little exercise that really brought this point to life for me:

If you hold your arm up and make a fist. Your fist represents you problems, you can see your problems, but you can also see the room (life) around it if you look around your fist.

But if you bring your fist right up in front of your nose, staring at it, so it is the only thing you’re focusing on, the rest of the room gets lost behind it as the closer it gets the bigger it seems.

It’s not really got any bigger, it only seems like it because now it’s all you’re looking at, it’s what you’ve chosen to pull close and focus on.

You might not have a choice when it comes to your circumstances, but you do have a choice when it comes to what you spend your time, energy and focus on within those circumstances. Try your best to focus on the good stuff!