After the turbulence, life goes on

Life will always be full of ups and downs. So, when you find yourself in difficult situations, would you simply move on or take drastic measures? Every day, we hear stories of how people completely lose it in trying times; with some going to the extent of committing suicide. Womanhood sampled opinions. Maryam Ahmed, 40-year-old […]

Life will always be full of ups and downs. So, when you find yourself in difficult situations, would you simply move on or take drastic measures? Every day, we hear stories of how people completely lose it in trying times; with some going to the extent of committing suicide. Womanhood sampled opinions.

Maryam Ahmed, 40-year-old consultant, says, “Many have been there (trying times), including myself, and have come out strong. Most times, I tell people that they need to develop thick skin for tough situations. If it’s a family problem, I would always advice that you be strong and take a final decision to make changes. Changes that will be of positive benefit, life moves on after a turbulent phase. We can’t keep dwelling on the small hitches that life throws at us sometimes.”

Abigail Mathias, 39-year-old accountant, says, “Most African women are strong and are always victorious at what they set their hearts at doing. No one will be an exception. This life is only for the strong and not the feeble minded. Issues come up; life isn’t a bed of roses. The earlier we learn to brace up and fight life’s challenges like a conqueror, the better for all of us. Most of us have come too far to give up now.”

Hauwa Abubakar, 40-year-old teacher, says, “Killing yourself is not and will never be a solution. God in his holy books forbids anyone from committing suicide. Financial, marital and sometimes career and educational problems come up, but that doesn’t mean the end of life. An advice I will like to give is that if you find yourself always depressed about issues affecting you, it is necessary you get someone you trust and voice out your troubles to him/her. Speaking to a confidant most times helps ease a stressed and depressed mind.”

Glory Chinwendu, 43-year-old entrepreneur, says, “I once lost virtually all I had worked for in this life to fire. I was at a point of no return. I gave up on life and just wanted it to end right there. Nothing anyone told me then helped but I found hope when I cried one night to God. The next morning, I was optimistic that all will be okay. At a point, I was the one consoling people and telling them that all will be well. There is nothing that can’t be rectified with hard work and God on your side. Today, God has restored all what I lost. Trying times come and go, they don’t last forever.”

An article on www.marcandangel.com ‘10 Forgotten Truths to Help You Get Through Hard Times’ says “You can’t change situations you don’t take responsibility for.”

“Most people do not really want freedom, because freedom involves responsibility, and most people are frightened of responsibility. Don’t let this be you.  When you blame others for what you’re going through, you deny responsibility – you surrender power over that part of your life.”

“Make no mistake, in the end, the price of happiness is responsibility.  As soon as you stop making everyone and everything else responsible for your happiness, the happier you’ll be.  If you’re unhappy now, it’s not someone else’s fault.

Ultimately, your happiness depends on your self-reliance – your unshakable willingness to take responsibility for your life from this moment forward, regardless of who had a hand in making it the way it is now.  It’s about taking control of your present circumstances, thinking for yourself, and making a firm choice to choose differently.  It’s about being the hero of your life, not the victim.”